Following the Call

“Who is Jesus and What does it mean to follow him…?” Today’s Gospel passage proclaims the coming of the kingdom of God and calls those who hear him to repent, to turn, and to believe in the good news.

Jesus is putting together his team. He calls Simon and Andrew, James and John, from their work as fisher people. These four individuals immediately follow Jesus, leaving behind nets and family and hired workers and fishing boats still floating in the sea. Jesus seems to understand that people learn best when they can see – in action – what is being taught. So, Jesus takes these people with him when he teaches and when he heals. And most importantly, they are there with Jesus, day by day, as he gently reveals who he is. 

This is a story of a response to God’s call. Jesus is demonstrating the fellowship he invites us to accept. If we accept our call, this good news makes it possible to share the story by how we live out our lives, with words and action, that develop to assist spiritual growth and discernment.

What might we need to leave behind in order to follow Jesus? And can we ever hope to do so with the swiftness of Simon, Andrew, James, and John?

What calls do we hear in our own lives? In what ways are we called to follow Jesus in our own time?