Matthew 4:18-22
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
The Gospel of the Lord
The Mass Intention is for Novena Mass
Reflection:
Simon and Andrew were about their daily business looking over their nets and cleaning them, working hard and probably stinking of fish.
Not the prettiest of pictures for a calling.!! Somehow these days we get this strange idea in our heads that Jesus can only speak to us, call us in ethereal places, – mountain experiences, silent holy churches….perfect!!! But if we were to look at the disciples all of their lives were messy, and God did not wait for them to be cleaned up before calling them.
Matthew’s hands full of dirty tax money. James, John, Simon and Andrew’s hands full of smelly fish.
You and I in our messy lives- Covid restrictions and media soaked Jesus calls us.
Maybe he also calls us in quiet moments of adoration and Bible Study , maybe also in the midnight hour when your baby is crying, or when cleaning the grazed knee of your child, or tending to a sick loved one or drying tears at the graveside.
God meets us in our mess and he only has eyes of mercy for he looks on us all with deep love. Go to him today. God wants to reach others through your hands and feet, he wants to use you for his glory give him permission.
