Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
It is shocking how quickly, how easily Simon and Andrew abandon their nets at the mere invitation of Jesus. We are amazed—perhaps even a little scandalized—at how quickly and unapologetically James and John not only abandon their nets, but even their father. Does not the commandment demand that they honor him? Yet Jesus would later invite others to follow Him, yet they make excuses, one even saying, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home,” to which Jesus replies, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God,” (Luke 9:57-62), for in our Gospel today Jesus declares, “THIS is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
These four first followers of Jesus, going about their business on the shores of the sea, are not caught up in their nets, in their affairs, in worldly attachments; in this moment of their lives they are men who are living the greatest commandment: “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind,” (Matthew 22:37). We can be so caught up in the nets of sin, of attachment, of possession, of all manner of things yet only we, like these four men, can abandon them, with Christ’s help. He will not take us from them, but will guide us out of them, calling to us, bidding us to repent of them—to turn away from them and not look back—to look to Him instead, seeing Him just as he saw Simon and Andrew casting their nets, as He saw James and John in a boat.
Just as He now sees you.