Gospel in Art: Repent and believe in the gospel

Net Yokohama, Art installation by the Numen/ForUse collective, 2013, Inflatable space, stringed rope and nets, Yokohama, Japan © Numen / Christian Art

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 13 January 2025
Mark 1:14-20

After John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.'

Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.' And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

Reflection on the Contemporary Art Installation

Much of the news we hear through the media today is bad news. The constant stream of negativity can sometimes feel overwhelming, leaving us tempted to switch off the radio or put down the newspaper entirely. Yet, in the midst of this, it is worth remembering that Jesus was always in the business of proclaiming good news. In today's gospel reading from Mark, the very first words Jesus speaks at the start of His public ministry are good news: "He proclaimed the good news from God." What exactly is this good news? Jesus expresses it clearly and succinctly: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand." For centuries, God's people had been waiting in hope, and now, through Jesus that time had arrived. Good news indeed! In response to this proclamation, Jesus called for faith, telling us to repent and believe the good news, believe in the Gospel.

But that was not just in the past, 2000 years ago. That same good news continues to be proclaimed today. The reign of God's love is present here and now, made real through the risen Lord and the Holy Spirit. The call to "repent and believe the gospel" remains as relevant as ever, inviting us to turn towards Jesus and embrace the transforming grace he offers. Just as Peter, Andrew, James, and John responded to Jesus' call in our Gospel reading today and became messengers of this good news, we too are called to share it with others. We too are called to be bearers of the good news in a world that so desperately needs it.

In today's Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples that he will make them fishers of men, a call that reminded me of this intriguing artwork by the Croatian-Austrian design collective Numen/ForUse. Displayed in 2013 in Yokohama, Japan, the installation features an inflatable space filled with black nets that invite visitors to climb, bounce, and explore, like an adult-sized play area. The photo of the exhibit strikingly resembles people caught in fishing nets, but instead of being trapped, they are filled with joy. Similarly, the fishing nets of Jesus are not about confinement but about drawing people into the joy of his message. This joy, flowing from the love and grace of Christ, becomes our most powerful tool in attracting others to the Christian faith.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/mark-1-14-20-2025/