Third Sunday before Advent
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”
Overview
As we begin the countdown to Advent our readings call us to repent:
In Jonah 3:1-5,10, God threatens the people of Nineveh with destruction which results in a communal change of heart. In the gospel, Mark 1:14-20, Jesus begins his ministry in the shadow of John the Baptiser’s execution with a call to repent.
What makes these readings more than stern hectoring is the call to believe in the good news: salvation is possible, disaster can be avoided.
In the week of COP26 this is a message we need to hear: salvation IS POSSIBLE. All we need to do is repent. Literally turn around, change direction, return home. Home to God, home to a sustainable way of life, home to a world of justice and equity.
As ever with our beautiful non-coercive God, no one is forcing us, we have a choice, but there is a time frame. The kingdom of God is near. Will we choose it?
Readings
FIRST READING
Jonah 3:1-5,10
The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, “Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.” So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days’ walk across. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s walk. And he cried out, “Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth.
When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.
GOSPEL
Mark 1:14-20
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”
As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.
