Jesus came upon Andrew and Peter as they were casting their net into the Sea of Galilee. Makes sense. They fished for a living. I wonder if Jesus waited until they began to haul in the heavy net back onto shore before he spoke, watching them and the flopping fish. Or did Jesus call out just after they had thrown the net, before the potential of today’s catch was known. Either way, Matthew’s gospel tells us that “immediately” they left their nets and followed him. No questions. No delay. Instant response
Apparently, James and John weren’t far away, mending nets in their boat with their dad (clearly nets are a big part of fishing on the Sea of Galilee). Jesus called them, and they left boat, nets and father and followed him.
Jesus uses the phrase “fishers of people” in calling these four disciples. Jesus takes an image of their daily lives, their regular activities, their role in the community – their identity, really. Jesus found these four doing what they did every day, and (even as he invited them to a new life), he made it clear that the gift and abilities they already had would be part of this new role.
Same is true for you and me. As God calls us to follow the way of Jesus, we are invited to follow through the usual moments of our life. Our work. Our activities. Our relationships. Our role in community. Jesus invites us to follow him in a life of love and compassion, forgiveness and generosity, justice and peace. Jesus invites us to see the needs and the sorrows, the joys and the accomplishments of the people who surround us – see them to such a degree that we cannot forget that each person we encounter (or hear about) is a beloved child of God.
Jesus calls us to lives that reflect God’s priorities and presence no matter what context our work or our leisure includes. Followers of Jesus spend their lives engaged in every possible occupation and activity. The common thread for us all is that our work and our activities and our identity are all shaped by the call of Jesus to follow.
Peace,