Word to the Wise
Thursday, September 4, 2025 - Thursday in the 22th Week in Ordinary Time
[Col 1:9-14 and Luke 5:1-11]"Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him. [Luke]
The story of the call of the first disciples is dramatic. Any fisherman would wish that catching fish was just a matter of which side of the boat one fished from!! But, this was no mere catch of the kind that Simon Peter was expecting. He had to call for help from James and John in the other boat! And the imagination is tempted to wonder what Zebedee, their dad, did with all those fish after his sons, along with Simon Peter, left everything and followed that stranger on the shore!
Most of us will not have quite as dramatic a call from Jesus to be a disciple. Stories like the one in the gospel today or like St. Paul's dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus are rare. The majority of us received our call at baptism/confirmation. We gradually learn of it through our parents and teachers. Those who come into the church through the OCIA programs have inspiring stories to tell of their own conversions. The important line to remember from today's gospel is: "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men!"
I have often heard the story of a non-Catholic student who was indifferent to faith being inspired by a roommate's example or invitation to attend Mass one Sunday. Lord knows, the Church has its share of problems simply because it is composed of very fallible human beings, but we do have a treasure of the lives of saints and martyrs as well as a sacramental life to share. To follow Jesus may mean giving up something like the first disciples did. They left their livelihood! Does our discipleship cost us anything? What are we afraid of in our attempts to follow Jesus? Could anyone experience the Lord's call through our example? AMEN