CONTEXT, TEXT, TEST

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

National Bible Sunday

Jon.3:1-5.10/ Ps.25:4-5.6-7.8-9/ 1 Cor.7:29-31/ Mk. 1:14-20

Pope Francis has been dubbed by the press as the “cold-calling Pope.” It has been reported that since assuming the papacy, he has been making numerous calls from simple concerns like cancelling a news subscription in Argentina to serious matters like comforting a mother whose daughter has been murdered.” It always feels good if someone most especially the Pope himself calls us amidst a very busy or boring life. But what if it is the Lord himself who calls us? What will we feel?

Our readings today bring us to a reflection on the call of the Lord. And when we speak about his call, we have to consider three important realities: CONTEXT, TEXT, and TEST.

CONTEXT is all about where, what, and who we are today. In our first reading, Jonah’s context is his mission to proclaim repentance to the people of Nineveh after experiencing a very dramatic conversion story from being a coward Israelite to becoming the voice of the Lord. In our gospel, we heard the disciples simply doing their job as fishermen. You and me, at this very moment, have our own contexts. Let us then remember that our context is God’s entry point for us to be called by Him. To be called by God, we do not need to make a religious pilgrimage or to touch the hands of the pope. God calls us to where, what, and who we are right now. Even amidst our sinfulness, God calls us! What is your CONTEXT today?

TEXT. God’s call is not a mere lofty idea. He uses words! The Word of God is not flat and empty. In Scriptures, the Word of God is dynamic – “it pierces through the heart like a double edged sword.” When Jonah spoke the Word of God to the Ninevites, the people turned away from their evil lives and repented. When Jesus called Simon, Andrew, James, and John, they left everything and followed him. Until today, the Word of God remains perfect and true, whole and entire. It continues to transform hardened hearts and sinful lives. This Sunday, the Philippine Church observes National Bible Sunday. What has happened to God’s TEXT? Do we still read them? Do we still meditate on Scriptures? Do we still allow the Word to touch our heads, hearts, and hands?

TEST. Of course, we only want to receive calls which give us “good vibes.” However, TEST is an important feature of God’s call. When the Lord calls us he does not only promise heaven but reminds us of the world. He calls us to establish heaven here on earth. And such mission is a TEST because it is not an easy task but involves pain and suffering. In the next chapter of our first reading, we can hear Jonah complaining to God about his mission. “It is better for me to die than to live longer!” We are also aware of the many tests which the disciples underwent in their preaching of the Gospel. These tests involves pain and suffering. How about us? When the Lord puts us to the test, how would we react? In front of life’s tests, do we face them on our own? Or do we simply fade away?

It always feels good if someone most especially the Pope himself calls us amidst a very busy or boring life. But what if it is the Lord himself who calls us? The Lord calls us to where, what, and who we are now – CONTEXT. He calls us with his life-changing Word – TEXT. And in order to purify our response to his call, he puts us to the TEST no to destroy us but for us to always remain in his love.

Let our Responsorial Psalm be our prayer every time the Lord calls us to go on a mission – “Teach me, your ways, O Lord!” Amen!

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