The readings from the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time offer us a timely glimpse into our often unpredictable and erratic human experience. The reading from the Prophet Isaiah shares the redemption story of a people liberated to abundant joy and great rejoicing after a period of distress, darkness, and anguish.
Our Psalmist today stokes a fire of trust in the Lord through her refrain “The Lord is My Light and My Salvation” in an almost conscious, effortful recollection of God’s provision. It is as if she has built an altar in her heart, an interior refuge, dedicated to the moments God has met her in turmoil and delivered her from fear. An altar she needs to visit and revisit, to remind herself of what is true, particularly in times of darkness.
St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians reveals the newly formed Christian community divided – a burgeoning Church whose desire is to control the Gospel, rather than to be united by it. A Church, much like ours today, who at times would prefer to claim a side, rather than acknowledge it is we ourselves who have been claimed by Christ. A Church who fights to draft Jesus, conscripting Him to suit our own agendas.
However, it would also be a mistake to believe that Jesus is neutral. Jesus does not stand in the middle of division and say “I can see both sides”. There isn’t a Gospel story where His priority is compromise. Jesus is truth, but be assured He will slip through our own human certainty. Jesus can’t be drafted. He isn’t loyal to a side. He is loyal to suffering.
In the Gospel today we see Jesus ask Peter and Andrew to leave their lives of certainty. To drop their nets and leave their boat, their sources of identity and safety, and to follow Him. In the midst of these two unfinished lives, these disciples begin to open themselves to the questions Jesus would ask. And Jesus doesn’t begin with “Who is right?” He begins with “Who is suffering?”
We must ask ourselves at times of deep division whether what we call “wisdom” might just be “distance”. What we often call “discernment” might just be our own comfort. Our faith isn’t about the safest position, it’s about presence and proximity to where Jesus would be. While we would often prefer to place Jesus where we’d have Him, Christ reminds us that He isn’t on either side, nor is He neutral. He is constantly trampling over the divisions society has decided are established and He is standing in the places we are least tempted to look.
If we want to be authentic followers of Jesus, today’s readings call us to drop our nets and to begin crossing lines alongside Him. They call us to turn an authentic gaze toward that which we’d rather not see, even if it doesn’t fit our pre-established narrative. Because Jesus isn’t in certainty; Jesus is in vulnerability. Jesus doesn’t leap boundaries for control; Jesus is present with the marginalized. Jesus’ advocacy isn’t needed for the mighty, proud, and powerful; Jesus’ heart is with the messy, honest, and weak. Those are the places we are called to follow him.
– Kelly Meraw, Director of Pastoral Care and Liturgy