Gospel according to Mark 1: 14-20
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After John had been arested,
Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God:
"This is the time of fulfillment.
The kingdom of God is at hand.
Repent, and believe in the gospel."
AS he passed by the Sea of Galilee,
he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea;
they were fishermen,
Jesus said to them.
"Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men."
Then they abandoned their nets and followed him.
He walked along a little farther
and saw James, the on of Zebedee, and his brother John.
They too were in a boat mending their nets.
Then he called them.
So they left their father Zebedee in the boat
along with the hired men and followed him.
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I keep thinking of the image of the apostles dropping their nets or mending their nets. In my meditation, the nets represent their livelihood - their temporal needs. To drop those nets and follow the Lord was an act of surrender and detachment from this world. In surrendering those things that they held most dear, they were able to find the true meaning of life in following Christ. What nets do I cling too in my life? What nets am I trying to mend with my own strength and power. Perhaps if I would be willing to drop those nets and surrender to the Lord, I will truly find what I am looking for.
ReplyDeleteSarah Christmyer and her husband Mark are on a pilgrimage in Israel right now. Sarah asked me to post the following comment for her:
ReplyDeleteTonight we heard this reading at Notre Dame de France in Jerusalem. Just two days ago, we were on an old fishing boat in the middle of the Sea of Galilee, going from Ein Gev on the middle of the Galilee up North to Capernaum. It was calm and sunny, which is unusual for winter time, and a beautiful ride. That night, however, the winds came in and whipped up waves along the sea. You can see how afraid the disciples would have been out on the water!
A friend told me about a little cave near the Church of St Peter's Primacy on the Galilee, which unfortunately we won't be able to visit. Tradition has it that Jesus used to retreat there to pray. From inside, you can see out over much of the lake, and down to a cove where fishermen used to go to mend their nets. I wonder whether Jesus spent time looking down on those fishermen, watching them and praying, before he walked along the shore and called them.
We are remembering you all and the parish in our prayers,
Blessings, Sarah and Mark Christmyer