"I will make you fishers of men"
The Word for Sunday: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/012217.cfm
Is 8: 23-9:3
1 Cor 1: 10-13, 17
Mt 4: 12-23
We seem to
constantly hear the measure of success in our national economy is the rate of employment.
Whether up or down either encourages or worries us. While the number of people
at work in a decent job at a respectable living wage is essential to the dignity
of every person we know that fulfillment as a human being demands more than
just a place to work. There is a deeper need we should answer – that for
meaning and purpose - something more to follow.
Such soul
searching may seem more relevant to our modern society than to the time in which
Jesus lived. At that time a “job” was
not something you applied for through a job interview or searched for on the
internet, prepared for through a college education, or answered an ad in a
paper or any other way in which one may find work today. Such a way of life was
non-existent.
In the
time of Jesus, work was pretty much passed down from generation to another through
one’s father to his son(s). Whatever the
trade was, carpentry, fishing, farming, there was no hope that you would
advance to a higher level. The very
desire that you would want to created suspicion. It was believed that only a
limited amount of resources were available to everyone and once you had what
you had, that was all there was for you. If you were wealthy, you were probably
we so through dishonest means. People simply lived day to day.
So, it is
likely the father of Andrew and Peter was also a fisherman. In fact the other
two called by Jesus, James and John were in the boat with their father who shared
in the same trade. These four were probably
known around the Sea of Galilee. They had reached some level of comfort and
were not particularly desperate men. They were doing what they will always do
for the rest of their lives. So, their response to the Gospel event today is
inspiring.
As they
were fishing, a voice cried out to them from the shore: “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” It is Jesus gathering an action plan for
the future and he invites these four to be among the first to help him
implement a new vision and direction.
They hear his voice and instantly drop what they are doing. We see their reaction described as “at once” and “immediately.”
Was it that
swift or is this some sort of literary exaggeration used by Matthew in writing
his Gospel? While they were successful in their trade, this may not have been
the first time they heard of Jesus. By this
time, his public ministry of preaching and healing was already known. When a man of Jesus’ reputation and charisma
called to them, they eagerly wondered what he wanted of them at that moment so
they did not hesitate. In fact, it was not unusual for groups to follow a
learned Rabbi for some period of time; to hear his words and to learn from him.
So our
Lord essentially makes an offer: Come
after me. As time went on, they learned that what Jesus ultimately wanted
of them was their loyalty and their commitment to his mission.
Now,
Jesus’ own words: “Come after me” are
unique. He wasn’t inviting them to a
political party (such things did not exist) or a particular group of rebels or
into a specific class of society. Nor did he offer them a new position or job.
Jesus’ request
was to follow HIM. A new kind way of using their talent: I will make you fishers of men. So, a chance to be part of
something much larger than themselves and all they knew to be true. So this
weekend, we are reminded of the call to share in the mission of Christ, which
is the mission of the Church itself. What a privilege and responsibility they
and now we are given.
Our first
reading from Isaiah speaks to a people in the District of the Gentiles.
The large population around the Sea of Galilee was in fact not exclusively
Jewish but rather a grand mix of Jew, Gentile and pagan Romans. Isaiah reminds us that upon them, a light has shown. These are the folks
to the north of Jerusalem – Galilee of the Gentiles. They are the, people who walk in darkness who have now,
seen a great light. So it’s curious
that we see where Jesus spent so much time, walking in the midst of this
eclectic people, to bring them the bright light of the good news; something
new, something different, an alternative way of seeing the whole direction of
their lives, the good news of God’s care for them and love expressed through
the ministry of Jesus’ preaching and healing. And the personal call to metanoia
– an about-face in our lives to find and live the way of Gospel values. And it
is to that new way that he calls these fishermen.
These men
evidently felt Jesus wasn’t suggesting a better place to fish on the Lake. Yet,
a call to leave behind the familiar is never easy. To follow (come after) Jesus, to have a personal encounter
with him, is to see to see the world in an alternative way. Our encounter with Jesus in the life
of the Church, in the sacraments, in the Scriptures, in prayer, during the Mass,
in the inspiration of others, and in the social issues of our day which affect
the human person so deeply, should give us pause to either follow or to resist
the call. These disciples were attracted to Jesus for more than advice on
fishing.
So, is my Christian faith nothing more than a nice idea or
something that brings me comfort in tough times or a kind of social club in
which I’m surrounded by nice people? Are we attracted by the teaching of Jesus
(teaching of the Church) or are we threatened by it? Does the Gospel disturb my life and what I
believe about issues, cause me to be angry and to push back or do I find some
hope and a better way to live through the Gospel?
For example, this weekend we remember the sad decision now
in law that permits the killing of innocent human life in the womb through
abortion. Do I just tolerate or worse
support this and see the Church as the source of resistance or do I embrace the
way of the Gospel and uphold the dignity of every human being unborn and beyond
birth in all stages of human development until natural death? This may be an
area in need of metanoia in my own life – a call to hear the Lord invite us to reassess
our values and morals.
What does our Lord offer? This Sunday it might be good for us to
consider our own personal discipleship.
What does it mean for me to follow Jesus? Do I see the way of the Gospel as a cause
that angers me and disturbs my peace? Or, like Peter, Andrew, James and John
and so many others, can I see my need for conversion and to look to what the
Gospel teaches, to embrace it and to share more fully in Jesus’ mission to be a
light in darkness of this world. God calls but we must respond to his offer. That is our real
job.
Almighty every-living God,
direct our actions according to your good pleasure,
that in the name of your beloved Son
we may abound in good works.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever.
(Opening Prayer for Mass)
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