God’s Apprentice!
(Third
Ordinary Sunday)

T. Nguyễn

A few weeks ago I overheard part of a conversation between two people in a
restaurant here in Arlington. One asked: “Do you know what the problem with
religion is today?” then came the answer: “It’s the gospel! It just doesn’t
relate to us right now.” And it was end of the conversation. So in order to make
the Gospel REAL to us, the theme for my article deprives from a very popular TV
show called “APPRENTICE.”

Today’s gospel marks the beginning of Jesus’ ministry and his recruitment of
the Disciples. And I find myself challenge. Is it problematic that religion and
the gospel seem distant for us right now? Especially dealing with the criteria
that Jesus chose his disciples.

So, for a moment let’s place the events of recruiting these followers in the
context of God’s Apprentice with Donald Trump as the host! This might well be
the reply Jesus would have received from Mr. Trump:

Thank you for sending these twelve men that you have picked for managerial
positions in your place. All of them have taken our battery of tests. We have
tabulated the results through our database and have arranged personal interviews
for each of them with a staff psychologist and vocational aptitude consultant.
It is our staff opinion that most of your nominees are lacking in background,
education and vocational aptitude for your enterprise. In short:

– Simon Peter is emotionally unstable and given to fits of temper.
– Andrew demonstrates no qualities for leadership.
– The brothers, James and John, place personal interest above team loyalty.

– Thomas shows a skeptical attitude that could undermine morale.
– Matthew, the tax collector has been blacklisted by the Jerusalem Better
Business Bureau.
– James the son of Alphaeus and Thaddeus definitely has radical leanings and
registered a high score on the manic-depressive scale.

In short, all of them have been given the same phrase: “You are fired!” One
of the candidates, however, shows real potential. He is a man of ability and
resourcefulness, meets people well and has contacts in high places. He is highly
motivated, ambitious and responsible. We recommend Judas Iscariot as your
controller and right-hand man.

We all know what happen to those twelve men, who were chosen to be Jesus’
Apprentice. Today I ask you to place ourselves into the story; Jesus encourages
us to change our lives. He tells us; “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at
hand.” Then he beckons us to come with him, to follow him, to be his disciple.

Our initial response usually is a resounding YES. Just like Peter and his
brother Andrew, and at once we leave our ‘nets’ and follow him. Then we come to
our senses and say: Lord I’m only a nurse in a hospital or I work in a nursing
home or a teacher, what can I possibly offer, and Jesus responds to us; “Look
into the faces of the people you care for and the children you teach and see my
presence, know of my Father’s love for you and for the people you help.”
Or… I’m a single parent… Or my wife and I are struggling to raise our children…
OR… and this is where we include our own story. In each of our lives Jesus
encourages us to join him, to reach beyond ourselves, to experience the kingdom
of heaven in our time.

Jesus’ invitation in the gospel to fishermen, tax collectors, farmers,
laborers and peasants to be his followers is extended to each of us as well. His
call to discipleship transcends that moment on the shores of the Sea of Galilee;
he calls to us here and now, in our own time and place. Despite what Donald
Trump might say about us, Jesus is offering all of us to be his Apprentice. Will
we say YES?