Scripture:
Reflection:
Jesus stands on the shore and invites Simon, Andrew, James and John to let Him take their hearts into a world beyond. A world that will include more than they have ever known, experienced or had been taught as people of faith. A way of being that lays the ground work for the path to an eternal reality so unfathomable we can’t begin to imagine without His sight.
In their threading the net holes that caused lost fish, lost income and a communal source of food, Jesus’ call speaks to stakes that are so much higher. The Truth to which we are called. To be heirs, sons and daughters of God. That will take another lens, another Way, grown through the intimacy of a deep accompaniment with Jesus and His sacramental gifts of self.
It is the First Monday of ordinary time. Each of us returning to work or our roles in our day to day living. Trees and ornaments and choirs of angels once again a sweet memory of hope. Just another day. You say.
It seemed just another day along the shore and yet it was the beginning of a following that now spans the stretch of two thousand plus years. A road paved in miracles and martyrdom for those who left the taste of sea salt on their rugged arms and beards to open their lives, body, minds and spirits, to the Truth of a relationship that would bring them and humankind so much more.
On this ordinary day, with the same immediacy He spoke to the first apostles, Jesus stands on the shoreline of our hearts and souls and calls us to lay down our limited views of who we are. He calls us to journey with Him with an intimacy that will lead us, teach us and transform us into all we are called to become in His name A call so deep when we enter into the body and life of His sacramental church where we will meet His Presence, waiting always, for this moment. Now.
As we work and mend the nets of our livelihoods, I pray for our responsiveness to His call, opening our heart to Jesus, as all else, in this moment, falls away from sight.
M. Walsh is a retreatant and friend of the Passionist Community.