15 years ago, I sat on the Northeast coast of the United States, on a pier in Maine. It was a beautiful August day on the North Atlantic, and as I was up in Maine for training, we took a long lunch and went to the outskirts of town, and just across the road from a small country store and deli was a small pier where lobster and crab fisherman were coming in, emptying their pots. We took our lunch out to the pier and ate, and watched these men work.
As I was up there for work, this too was their work. It was their livelihood. It’s just what they do. And even though it’s outside, and not every day is like that day in August, I have to believe they love it. Just as there is something I love about writing and computers, there’s something they love about being out on the water, the salt in the air, the sound of the wood as it creaks, and the ropes as they stretch, and the waves lapping up against the boat. This is their life. Surely at times it’s a struggle, but it seemed so peaceful to me.
And so when I read todays Gospel, and other readings like it that take place on the Sea of Galilee and the Disciples fishing, it makes me think of those docks in Maine. I think about the men I watched, doing what they do best. What if a man came up to them, showed them some great things just had a divine aura about him, and said, leave your boat here, drop your crab pots, and your bait, all your tools – and follow me! What would they have said? What would I say? What if someone came up to me tomorrow and said to me – drop your career, your job, your source of income, and come and follow me? Even if he performed a miracle for me, what would I do? What about my family? What would you do?
So was the life of Peter, and James and John out on the Sea of Galilee. Their life was a hard life, but I’m sure it was a fulfilling life. I’m sure they had pride in their work, and that they loved being on the water. They loved the sites, the sounds and the smells. They loved the freedom.
And then comes a man named Jesus.
He talks to them, performs a miracle for them, and they don’t feel worthy to even be in His sight, let alone follow Him and be His disciples. They are just fisherman after all, they think. What do they know, they ask? But He comforts them. He tells them what they are going to see and do, and that He will show them, and they are just so compelled by Him and His personality, His charisma, His Love, and they can’t imagine not being with Him. They don’t know how they are going to do the things He’s mentioning, but they just know it feels right. They are good Jewish men, and they know that they are not worthy, but they believe that God will give them the ability. God will give them that grace, even before they truly know what His grace is.
Paul is the same way in todays second reading. As is the Prophet Isaiah, Neither one of them feel worthy to follow their calling. Yet God gives them His grace, and the ability and the means to do His will. They just need to trust. The same with Peter. And James. And John. And all of us.
They are “just fisherman”, but Jesus knows their personalities, their strengths, and their natural abilities – and He knows that they are the perfect ones for His Mission. Every one of them fulfills a purpose, a purpose that God designed them to do from the very beginning. But at first, they are apprehensive. They don’t feel worthy. Why me? I can’t do this… But then Jesus looks deep into their eyes, into their soul, and says ‘Yes, you can! You were made for this.’ And they believe Him. They don’t think. They can’t explain it. They just do.
I’ve had one experience like this in my life, just a minute fraction of the amount of what the Apostles and Prophet experienced. But an experience nonetheless. And it’s why I write for this website. I’ve written a little about this before, but a year and a half ago, I was really struggling with purpose in my life. I continued to think that it revolved around happiness and passion in my career. I asked God to help me, and show me what I should do with my life, that I wanted to use my talents to make a difference, to be happy. But I always thought this only revolved around my job. I was seeking something more, but I just did not know when to find it.
That’s when Laura posted a message asking if people really get anything out of this website, and if anyone was interested in helping to write. As soon as I read that, I contacted her. I had been reading A Catholic Moment for several months, and getting a great deal from her reflections. And so while I had never written for anything like this before, let alone about sacred scripture, I knew I liked to write, and I just knew that I had to be a part of this ministry. I didn’t know how well I would do, or what I would say. I didn’t think I had the knowledge or experience to write reflections about the Mass readings, but I just felt called to do this.
I felt the biggest push from the Holy Spirit that I ever had, and it was really a no-brainer. It’s truly been one of the best things to ever happen to me, because I get to hear amazing things from all of you about how the words God gives me to say make such a difference in your lives. And I know this experience just continues to nurture and cultivate my own soul and spiritual life as a result.
It was a “drop the nets” moment for me, like Peter, and James, and John, who dropped all their nests and fishing gear to follow Jesus.
Surely I’m not dropping my career or being knocked down by a bright light, but I do sacrifice time. I’ve dropped a certain mindset to follow a calling. It’s a commitment, and it does take time, and many weeks I wonder just how I can relate and what I have to say about certain readings, but writing for this website, with all the wonderful writers we have, and all you awesome readers from around the world show me every day that we are doing Christ’s work. Reflecting and writing about Gods Word, Sacred Scripture, and how it relates to daily life – as an introspective person – is there anything better? But I had to “drop the nets” that contained some other mindsets. The journey is amazing!
So what is your “drop the nets” moment? Have you had one? Or many? Have you let some go by where you’ve stayed on the boat, and held onto the nets, searching for the fish where they are not? I know I’ve had plenty. I’ve let plenty of opportunities go by where I know Jesus was calling me to do something, and I just did not do it. And I know, many times, I will never get that same chance again. But it seems the more I seek, and reflect, and the more I do drop those nets, and all that other gear that holds me down.
As this is the last Sunday before Lent – I encourage all of you to look for those callings in your life. Those areas where you can “drop the nets” and get closer to Jesus, and perhaps follow something you are called to do.
God Bless.
(IS 6:1-2A, 3-8; PS 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-8; 1 COR 15:1-11; LK 5:1-11)
