“Why them and not me?”

January 21, 2024

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Mark 1:14-20

In today’s Gospel we hear another version of the call of Andrew, Simon, John, and James. How exciting it must have been for these four men to be asked to walk alongside Jesus as he began his ministry. But read the passage again. Jesus did not take everyone he saw with him. “They left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men” [Mk 1:20]

Now, if you can imagine what fishing was like in the first century, it was hard work. The boats were not that big, and there were no gas engines to propel them. The boats could hold four to six men who had to row the boat out to the fishing grounds. Some boats may have had a small sail, but most did not. The nets were made of rope that the fishermen had made themselves or purchased from a net maker. It did not take long for the nets to get weakened by being in the water. If the nets got caught on a rock or underwater log, it would tear. The weight of a good catch could also tear the nets.

The life of a fisherman was long and tedious. After being on the water most of the day, they would return and have to unload, sort, and take the fish to the fish mongers and hope they get a fair price. Then they would work to repair the nets, repair the boat, and prepare for the next days work. It took many hands to keep a fishing endeavor going day after day.

So, for John and James to walk away from their father would have been a real hardship on him and his hired hands. The hired hands, in particular, must have watched the two brothers walking away in shock and dismay. First, they realized that they would be required to work that much harder and longer to make up for the two men. Plus, I imagine that there might have been a little (lot?) of jealousy felt for being left behind in the first place. “Why them and not me?”

I know I have felt that many times in my life. From being the last one picked for the pickup football game, to being left behind when a group headed off to a watering hole at college, to being passed over for a job. “Why not me?”

I have learned, however, that I have a role regardless of when I am chosen. I was able to make a play in the football game that no one thought I could do. It turned out the group needed a designated driver. And I ended up with a better career than I could have hoped for.

But I also know people who have never gotten break in life. No matter how hard they try, they still live paycheck to paycheck. Some work two jobs to stay afloat. Some work seven days a week, just trying to get ahead. When I have talked to these folks, I often hear their frustration: “Why not me?”

I try to remind them that we all have our own role in bringing the Reign of God to fruition here on earth. Jesus calls each of us to do different tasks at different times. But I get it that some folks feel left out. Life can be hard. So, it is incumbent on me to use the privilege that I enjoy to share the good news at every opportunity. No one, regardless of their role in this life is left out of God’s great love. And that is what I need to say and show to everyone.

Maybe it’s the cashier at the grocery store or the packer. I can use their name (it’s on their name tag) to simply say “thank you”. I can acknowledge the person at the gas station, on the other side of the pump, with a nod and a smile, if not a “hello.” And, yes, to offer the person standing on the street corner a few dollars, a smile and a greeting.

If I remain alert and aware, no one I encounter should ever wonder, “Why not me.”

Every Day.