Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Mt 4:12-23 or 4:12-17
January 22, 2023

One Sunday morning, having proclaimed and then preached on today’s Gospel, a person stopped me on the way out of church and remarked: I definitely could not do Jesus’s job, but after hearing today’s Gospel, I have to say, He couldn’t do mine. The person was director of human resources (HR) for a midsize corporation.

When called to find the perfect person to do a particular job, HR makes four simple inquiries. My friend’s reaction to Mark 6 was obviously prompted by The Lord’s casual way of assembling a workforce to support Him in his mission and ministry without asking a single interview question. For example…

DOES THE APPLICANT HAVE THE NECESSARY SKILL SET? This is a “no-brainer.” Obviously, placing someone in a job they have no ability to do is a recipe for failure. And yet, Jesus began His talent search for Apostles along the shores of the Sea of Galilee and among commercial fishermen. Not only did The Lord begin recruiting in the most unlikely of places in which to find candidates with the NECESSARY SKILL SET TO PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS…but there was no application process and no interview. He simply extended the job offer to individuals who demonstrated little, if any, promise of succeeding.

DOES THE CANDIDATE HAVE THE ABILITY TO EASILY COMMUTE TO THE WORKPLACE? Employers want employees readily available for service. With respect to the work of the Apostles, there was definitely travel involved. But transportation and accommodations were not of particular concern to Jesus. Remember how He sent The Twelve out two by two and instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. (Mark 6:7). Clearly, this required a great deal of trust on the part of the worker, which raises the next concern of a competent HR officer.

DOES THE PERSON BEING INTERVIEWED HAVE THE CHARACTER AND ATTITUDE TO SUCCEED IN THE POSITION? Basically, HR is exploring a candidate’s capacity for loyalty. Is a potential new hire “in for the long haul?” Are they trustworthy?

The New Testament describes how 11 among those of Jesus’s first “new hires” were unconditionally loyal. In fact, all but one of them lost their life in the course of doing the work of proclaiming the Good News.

The final concern to HR departments might leave them vulnerable to accusations of “ageism” …but nevertheless, it is a significant concern.

IS THE POSITION TO BE FILLED “AGE-APPROPRIATE” TO THE APPLICANT? There are many aspects to this area. Not only do people in different age brackets have different strengths and weaknesses, but they come to a position with different needs and expectations. While there are obviously no personnel files dealing with The Apostles, tradition tells us that Peter was the oldest. John was the youngest, though, in the end, he served the longest…as he lived the longest. We also know with certainty that Jesus called siblings…in other words…older and younger brothers. So, this is one HR hiring box The Lord seems to have checked. The Lord covered a broad age range.

Jesus’s approach to assembling His team baffled my friend working in a modern-day HR department. Nevertheless, His approach tells us something very significant about the call to modern day discipleship. First and foremost, through the power of the Holy Spirit, everyone has the skills and abilities to serve. The most extraordinary contributions to salvation history have been made by the most ordinary people. The most important qualification is a loving heart…that, and trust in the saving power of Jesus Christ.

As far as the commute to work…it can be as close as the family dinner table or as distant as the other side of the world. In fact, some of the most important work that disciples are called to do is within the family unit, the neighborhood, and, without a doubt…the parish! Even still, modern communications make long distance discipleship a snap. Today, we can send the Good News to the other side of the world in an instant and without packing a bag.

As to the matter of commitment and loyalty, doing “the work” is an expectation of our Baptism. Through the Sacrament of Initiation, we share in the Life of Christ, and, as such, are expected to share in His mission and ministry…regardless of our age.

It’s understandable that a person involved in modern day HR would find the story of Jesus’s methods surprising. But they were undeniably successful. The work continues to this very day. Loyal and trustworthy disciples of all ages continue to serve and are good at the job because the Holy Spirit inspires, empowers, and guides them.

So then…let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work. There’s lots to be done.