With the calling of these disciples, Christ is building His army. Later in the Gospels, we will see Jesusā disciples doing what He does in the very next passage after this oneācasting out demons, calling people to repentance. And this is not only His army but also His government.
Mankind is suffocated by his idolatry. If we want to breathe, to breathe again the Holy Spirit, it begins with repentance. It begins with sacrifice. It begins with worship.
Iāve had more than one person say to me over the past couple weeks: āWith Pascha here, I feel like COVID-19 should be over.ā Shouldnāt this thing be over now? Christ is risen, you know.
This is a moment for grieving, for deep repentance. It is not okay. Do not try to make it okay. That does not mean that we have to go around depressed, angry, etc. But it does mean that this is a moment for grief.
What I do affects who I am and what I believe, especially when it is something I do over and over. It is my habits, my repeated actions, that influence how I see the world and who I am.