Question of the Week - Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
Are there times you just don’t want to be interrupted? Maybe you’re in the middle of a good book, a favorite TV show, an exciting football game, or working on a project you enjoy when you hear someone calling your name, or the phone rings, or there’s a knock at the door. Inwardly you groan and think, “Leave me alone!” I’m sure we’ve all felt this way from time to time.
As I read today’s Gospel (Mark 1:14-20), I am struck by two things. First, the disciples allowed themselves to be interrupted. Yes, there was work to be done, and yes, they were in the middle of that work, but when they heard Jesus’ invitation, they somehow knew that it was more important than the task at hand. Second, I am mindful of what they left behind: nets and boats, which were the source of their livelihood, and even their own father!
In a similar way, Jesus invites us many times a day to drop what we’re doing and to simply follow him—to call a friend who’s still isolated because of the pandemic; to talk with him in prayer; to hug our children, really listen to our spouse, run an errand for a neighbor, or keep a promise to a friend. I wonder how many times I am so engrossed in what I am doing that I fail to hear his call or ignore his invitation to serve?
Tomorrow is the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul. As we all know, Saul (Paul) had to be knocked from his horse and blinded in order for God to get his attention. Hopefully, that’s not what it will take for God to get our attention too! But as we think about our ongoing need for conversion, perhaps this is a good day—a good week—to pray, “Lord, change my heart. Help me see what I view to be interruptions as invitations to follow you. Help me always be willing to drop what I am doing in order to answer your call. Amen.”
Mary Sellars Malloy has over forty years’ experience as a Catholic educator and lay minister. She is a frequent workshop presenter on prayer, liturgy, spirituality, the Sacraments, and the RCIA. Also, Mary leads retreats and parish missions throughout the country. Her goal is to encourage Catholics of all ages to appreciate and to live their Catholic faith.