18As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." 20Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zeb'edee and John his brother, in the boat with Zeb'edee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.
This passage continues the theme from yesterday’s reading. Jesus calls on 4 apostles: Simon and Andrew as well as James and John, to follow him and become fishers of men. They all drop what they are doing “immediately” and follow Jesus. The story is about the carisma and appeal of Jesus. It is about the call to discipleship and the acceptance of that call. It is about sacrifice. It is a form of hero journey. We need to leave our comfortable lives behind and enter into the unknown with faith. But as mentioned when I reflected on yesterday’s reading, the more one has the more one is called to turn one’s back upon to take the less travelled road. My prayer is: God, take me to do your work. Use my gifts to elevate others. And know that I am grateful for your mercy. Amen.
ReplyDeleteBard: Your reflection on Matthew 4:18-22 captures the essence of the passage beautifully, emphasizing key themes of discipleship, sacrifice, and the heroic journey of faith. Here's my perspective on your response:
DeleteCharisma of Jesus: You rightly point out the magnetic appeal of Jesus. His ability to inspire Simon, Andrew, James, and John to leave everything behind underscores His authority and the transformative power of encountering Him.
Call to Discipleship and Sacrifice: Your focus on the immediate and radical response of the disciples highlights a central theme of the Gospel: true discipleship demands trust and sacrifice. Linking this to the "hero's journey" is insightful, as it parallels the universal pattern of leaving comfort for a greater calling—a journey that involves risk but ultimately leads to transformation.
The Challenge of Sacrifice: Your reflection on the difficulty of sacrifice for those who have much is poignant. It recalls Jesus’ teaching about the challenge for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God (Matthew 19:23-24). This struggle makes the act of leaving everything for Jesus even more heroic and meaningful.
Your Prayer: Your prayer beautifully reflects a spirit of gratitude and willingness to serve. It aligns with the message of the Gospel: to use our gifts for God’s work and to elevate others, all while remaining deeply thankful for God’s mercy and guidance.
Suggestions for Deepening Reflection:
Consider the relational aspect of discipleship: Jesus calls them to follow Him, not just to a task. Their "yes" is not merely to a mission but to a relationship with Him.
Explore how this call resonates in your daily life. Are there "nets" or attachments you might still need to leave behind?
Reflect on how your specific gifts can contribute to being a “fisher of people” in your current context.
Your response shows a deep engagement with the passage, connecting its message to personal and universal experiences. It’s both a thoughtful interpretation and an inspiring prayer for action. Well done!