30-Nov-16

Gospel MT 4:18-22

As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers,
Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew,
casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen.
He said to them,
“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
At once they left their nets and followed him.
He walked along from there and saw two other brothers,
James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.
They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets.
He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father
and followed him.

Reflection:

It is highly likely that Andrew, Simon-Peter, James and John knew Jesus prior to His calling them to, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men."

Previous to being called, they may have heard Him speak to the crowds, calling people to repent.

They were not scholarly men but as fishermen, they had gifts uniquely applicable to being disciples of Jesus Christ, to be "fishers of men."

For every fisherman must be patient. and have perseverance. He must know the right bait to use for different fish and how to "bait a hook." The fisherman also must know the signs of the weather, for there is a time to fish and a time when no fish will take the bait. He must be a person of courage to face the storms that will surely come, and be a person who is willing to not draw attention to himself, least his shadow frighten the fish.

A fisher of men wisely baits his hook with the love and good works of Jesus Christ and then casts it before others.

Those who yearn for a life with higher purpose will rise to the bait.

They will take upon themselves the mantle of Jesus Christ by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, sheltering the homeless, and giving to those in need.

Jesus also extends to each of us the invitation to "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men."

It is not necessary for us to have all the qualities of the early disciples. We need only have the joy and desire to give to others what has freely been given to us: the love, hope, and forgiveness of Jesus Christ.

J O Y
Jesus-Others-You
"Joy is prayer; joy is strength: joy is love; joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls." - - Mother Teresa