Gospel: Mark 1:14-20
After John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee and began preaching the Good News of God. He said, “The time has come; the kingdom of God is at hand. Change your ways and believe the Good News.”As Jesus was walking along the shore of Lake Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” At once, they abandoned their nets and followed him. Jesus went a little farther on, and saw James and John, the sons of Zebedee; they were in their boat mending their nets. Immediately, Jesus called them and they followed him, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men.

Reflections
“They abandoned their nets and followed him.”
The Gospels record no in­ stances in which a potential re­cruit rejects his personal call. It is as if such a calling—if it truly comes from the Lord—is literally irresistible. But perhaps Jesus’ choices were not arbitrary. Sure­ly Simon and his brother were not the only fishermen Jesus encountered along the shore. Perhaps, as Jesus discerned, they were predisposed for such a summons, already yearning for a task and a mission greater than casting nets into the lake.If a stranger says to you, “I have the answer to your problem,” this will seem merely bi­zarre if you are not conscious of having a problem. But if you do have a problem, and you receive such a message—well, at least he’s got your attention. “Many are called but few are chosen.” Perhaps it is only those already on a quest for answers who are ready to respond when the call comes—whether that call comes from a mysterious stranger on the beach, or the needs of our neighbor, or the de­mands of history. But those who are content merely with men­ding their nets are not likely to drop everything when the Lord issues that call.

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