Homily for Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time

Whenever people interact with one another, they can experience transformative moments. Simon, Andrew, James, and John's interactions with Jesus were such moments for these four fishermen; they encountered God's life-giving power present in Jesus. This power of God, embodied in Jesus, was a power of love. This love promised forgiveness, healing, and acceptance, providing them with a mission in life.

The kind of encounter that four fishermen had with Jesus is also offered to each of us. Jesus is not merely a historical figure who existed in the past. He is the living Lord, still present with His Church and the world, continually calling and interacting with us in our daily lives, just as He engaged with the four fishermen while they were doing their work.

The Lord encounters us and speaks to us through the Sacraments, especially during the celebration of the Eucharist, through Scripture, through the people we meet, through nature, and from deep within our souls. Each time we encounter the Lord, we receive the Good News of God's unconditional love for us. We also hear the call to mission—to be good news for others, to be the Lord's body in the world; His feet, hands, mouth, eyes, and ears. "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of people." Today, we pray for the grace to be open and responsive to the Lord's presence.