"I will make you fishers of men"
Matthew 4: 12-23
We seem to constantly hear the measure of success in our
national economy is the rate of employment or unemployment. 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 one
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 so through dishonest means. The
vast majority of people simply lived day to day. And this was the major
population that Jesus encountered within the Galilee region.
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 wealth 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 although at the beginning stages. 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.
Yet, this call is unique in that normally one would seek out a rabbi of their
own desire. Here, however, Jesus himself
chooses his own disciples.
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 of 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. The nets of their trade
become symbolic of the ultimate purpose of Jesus’ mission: to gather all to the
Lord.
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 now “fishers of men.”
To follow (come after) Jesus, to have a personal encounter with
him, is 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?
What does our Lord offer?
This Sunday our Holy Father Pope Francis has invite all Catholics to
reflect more deeply on the Sacred Scriptures.
It is designated: “Sunday of the Word of God.” Jesus is the word of God the Father come
among us. His words and actions are
recorded in the Scriptures but also we see the Old Testament as the same word
of God which prepares us for the coming of Christ.
As that Word walked along the Sea of Galilee he called to many
and today to us. “Ignorance of Scripture
means ignorance of Christ” St. Jerome reminded us in the fourth century. While
we do not encounter Jesus in the same way that the early disciples did along
that Sea, we do encounter his alive and risen in the Bible. We too must hear his call but we must come to
know who we follow. Take some time today
to pick up the Bible, read one of St. Paul’s letters, parts of the Book of
Genesis, a whole chapter or two of any of the four Gospels. Come to know Christ Jesus not as a ancient
historical figure from the past but as the Lord of our lives.
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.
Almighty ever-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.
(Collect of Sunday)
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