I wonder if we can see the parallels between our lives and that of the disciples Jesus calls in the Gospel.
I imagine that the men, who had come from fishing families or chosen to be fishermen, had hopes and dreams for themselves, their families and their future. They were doing what they were doing to get on with their lives and live
as best as they could. When Jesus walked along the sea of Galilee and called them, it was not part of their plan; it was an interruption and, ultimately, set their lives on a new (and different) path. They, of course, had to respond - and did because they followed him. Whether they had heard of this itinerant preacher or not, they recognised something about Jesus that attracted them, and, in great faith and trust, they followed him.
We, too, have hopes and dreams for ourselves, our loved ones and the future. We also try to get on with our lives in the best way possible. But, just like the disciple’s experience, we might find that the Lord interrupts our plans. What we think we need to do might differ from what the Lord has in mind. God may invite us to take a different path than the one we initially thought would be ours.
Can we, like those fishermen, trust
that God knows what is best for us? Do we have the same faith and trust in Jesus that they have?
Take time today to examine your own life. Can you identify a time when the Lord invited you to abandon your plans and follow God’s invitation? How did you respond? Perhaps God is now interrupting your life - asking you to walk a new path? Do you have faith and trust in what the Lord’s vision is for you?
Reflections by Russell Pollitt SJ
