In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus initially calls the first four disciples – read the text carefully. I would imagine they were hard at work in their boats and probably did not even see him approaching. Suddenly, the invitation comes, and, with no hesitation, St. Mark tells us they follow Jesus – they obey his call. They leave behind their careers, families and perhaps even the futures they had
dreamed of for themselves. Their prompt response might be explained by the attractiveness of Jesus. They obey his call.
Notice how Jesus has no interview and gives them no prospectus. They have no idea of what lies ahead apart from the vague promise that we would make them “fishers of people”. Jesus himself will be their only teacher; he will form their hearts and minds for the work he has cut out for them.
God, in Jesus, calls us to. The Christian call is one that we often return
to and reflect on. We are invited, like the disciples, to follow Jesus. But what does this mean for us today?
Jesus calls us to follow him and says he will form our hearts and minds for the task he has for us. Each time we open the Scriptures (or hear them in Church) or listen to wise spiritual guides, our hearts and minds are being formed. We are not supposed to be passive listeners. We are supposed to allow the Word we hear to work actively in our heads and hearts, changing how we think
and act so that, like those fishermen, we too become more and more like Jesus in word and deed.
Like the disciples, we might not know where the journey with Jesus will take us. St. Mark invites us to reflect on our ability to follow Jesus in faith like the disciples did. Can we let go of our hopes and dreams and allow ourselves to be led by Jesus? Jesus does not offer us a clear road, but he offers us life in abundance, as these fishermen discover later.
Take time today to reflect
on the moments in your life when you feel you have heard Jesus call you. How did you respond? How do you allow Jesus to form your mind and heart? How do you feel about being invited on an adventure with the Lord, one which might not have any clear destination?
Reflections by Russell Pollitt SJ
