Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Fr. Joseph Eddy, O. de M.
MP3: “Leaving everything behind in the boat of life“
James and John came out of their family home. It was early in the morning. With clear skies the stars could be seen unmistakably; a beautiful day for a fisherman. The two brothers were the closest of friends. They talked about everything…hopes…dreams. To men of their time and status life is a clear as the sky on that early morning. James and John shared more than a blood line; their life was mapped out for them. They were fishermen like all their ancestors.
One day they would take over the family business from their father Zebedee. We can imagine that they spent their time together talking “shop”. Maybe these brothers shared dreams of a bigger boat or improve fishing techniques. It may not seem like an exciting life, but it was their lot and they accepted it. There was no other way.
Something greater
To understand this Gospel passage, we must get into the lives of the soon-to-be disciples. This scene was as spontaneous and quick as it appears. The summons to something greater may have been in their hearts, but practically it wasn’t in their thoughts or wildest dreams. The “call” was spontaneous and total; a leap of faith. Jesus comes along while the brothers are “mending their nets”. James and John have no clue that their life is about to change dramatically. Jesus invites them to follow him possibly in the words, “come after me and I will make you fishers of men”. What went on within them? We do not know. Likely, some innate desire deep within their souls was fulfilled at that moment. But to leave everything? They left their life, possessions, family…all that they knew!! Their past, present, and future was abandoned in an instant. Talk about detachment!!
This short passage is Christianity “in a nutshell”. As Pope Francis keeps telling us through his words and actions, we are called to follow Christ. The concept is simple, but the implications are great. Hearing Christ’s call and leaving everything behind in the boat. We are all called to a radical abandonment to God. This does not, however, mean that everyone must physically live poverty and celibacy. Most are called to a detachment and careful use of all that we have. To have possessions, but not be possessed by them. Learning to discover the dreams God has for our lives. Loving the Lord first so that we can love others as He loves us.
A different way
Every person is faced with the moment Jesus approaches them and offers us a different way. Scary…probably. Exciting…definitely. Freeing…no doubt about it! We all must decide what to do with the time we have on this earth. Are we going to really try this Christian thing or continue to just do it halfway?
For each of us, life itself offers the means of learning to live for Christ. We need not go too far or search too long to find the opportunities. Slowly, everything we may put ahead of God slips away. Looks…they fade. Friendships…they become distant. Money…it will have to be left behind. Even our loved ones will eventually be separated from us at least physically. We or they will pass on to the next life. These persons, places, and things are meant to lead us closer to God. If they become gods we are ultimately going to be disappointed.
Leaving all to God
For each of us, whether apostles or normal people, the call is made to follow Christ. This seems easy, but in fact it is quite challenging. It means abandoning everything to God: our jobs, our possessions, our families, and our very selves. “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God (Mk 10:27).”
We like James and John can step out of the safety of that boat into a new world of trust. Like children in their father’s arms or men on a journey we have opened ourselves up to a whole new world. Taking those first steps can be scary. But if we were to ask the two simple fishermen, they would tell us that this was the day that their lives changed. The day they became truly alive!