Well, here we go. We can tell by tomorrow’s Gospel reading (3 OT, Mk 1:14-20) that it’s about time to get moving. I’m struck by this image of Simon and Andrew, then James and John abandoning their nets to follow Jesus. What they believed and felt in their hearts must have been indescribable. It’s such a powerful moment, and it really gets my attention.
Though I’m drawn to their complete trust and to their companionship, I’m especially drawn to the nets themselves. One pair of brothers was casting nets; the other pair was mending them. On this regular day on the sea, it was all about the nets. And then it wasn’t. The nets were their livelihood, and they abandoned them—such a significant step to begin their new ministry. They couldn’t follow Jesus and keep their nets.
In this reading, Jesus of course announces their ministry in the familiar words: Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men. (Mk 1:17). We already know these words are for us, too. But before we answer and renew this call, we, like Simon, Andrew, James and John, might need to do something about our nets—at least recognize and acknowledge what is caught in them. Our nets can get weighed down with anger, resentment, discouragement, doubt, fear, and so much more. In our prayer let’s consider: What entanglements are getting in the way and weighing us down? How can we free them from our nets, so we can fully respond to Jesus’ call to share in His ministry?
I was honored to work with Liturgical Ministers for several years. I shared with young servers (as well as adult volunteers) that ministry is how we bring Jesus to other people. It can be on the altar, in the choir loft, or at the food pantry. But it can also be in simple moments of lifting someone in prayer, comforting someone who is suffering, or sharing some of the gifts we have received. We, too, are called to be fishers. May we let go and free our nets of obstructions, so we bring Jesus to other people with full, generous and joyful hearts.
Journeying to Grace 