14 January 2019 - fullness

Today's Readings

(Audio)

This is the time of fulfillment.

This is the time when the empty are filled. The hungry receive the food they desire and the thirsty receive the drink for which they thirst. Jesus himself fills this emptiness in us. How else can we explain the readiness of Simon, Andrew, James, and John to follow Jesus?

Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.

There is something in Jesus that makes it worth abandoning a life of familiarity to stay near to him. His presence now means more than the sense of security the disciples have in being able to provide for themselves. They learn that in the occupation of fishing they only experience a hint of the true fulfillment for which they are intended.

Then they left their nets and followed him.

Jesus leads them from a place of finding their satisfaction in the simply physical to the spiritual. They gain more fulfillment from bringing souls to Jesus than any stores of wealth could provide. No mere human could fill this emptiness. Not even an angel could merit such dedication from the disciples.

he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
as far superior to the angels
as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

It is ultimately enough just to be near to Jesus and to gather the rest of creation together with us unto him. The Father's Son is the only one who can assuage this need.

For to which of the angels did God ever say:
You are my Son; this day I have begotten you?

The one begotten by the Father is the one who fills us all. Even our own fishing for souls has its source in his love spreading and gathering us all.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth (see Ephesians 1:7-10).

Let's allow ourselves to be gathered and to gather today. Let us experience the gravity of love by which Jesus draws all people to himself.