Fishers of men

Did Peter and Andrew, James and John respond to the call, “I will make you fishers of men,” because of their love for people and their desire to bring them into covenant with God, or did they see the call as an inside track to Kingdom, close proximity to the Prince, their new nets pulling in political power and influence? (All for the common good, mind you.)

The more one reads Gospel descriptions of the disciples (and by the disciples), the less their early response to the call becomes an example to follow (though they should never be ridiculed). But Jesus, who knew what was in people, thus refused to reveal himself directly except through parable and sign and walk, slowly brought many of his followers to a life where they would carry the cross gladly and submit to the baptism obediently.

I think I’ll focus my eyes on the call of Jesus and on his fishing life-style rather than on the courageous, but misguided, response of the disciples. For everywhere in his sacrifice, his serving, his searching, his giving and his Message, the master fisherman is at work. And peoples’ lives are still changing.