This story is impressed by Matthew 4:18–22.
I’m interested in this Jesus character. As an investigative journalist, I feel he’d be a nice story, so I’ve determined to shadow him this morning. We are on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, the place the solar is shining robust at the moment. It’s a busy place: fishermen pulling their boats into or out of the water, hauling of their nets—some filled with fish, others with none. Some fishermen are gutting fish. Others down on the far finish of the shore have began a hearth and are smoking their catch. Kids weave out and in of the busy-ness and are scolded by the boys for getting in the way in which. The mild breeze coming off the water is particularly welcome, as a result of it helps reduce the overwhelming scent of fish.
Jesus leaves the sand the place we had been strolling and wades as much as Simon (Peter) and Andrew. These guys are brothers. They have simply forged their nets. Jesus says, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They instantly collect their nets, drop them on the shore, and observe him. I’m struck by their lack of hesitation. How is it that they simply drop what they’re doing and observe him? Do they already know him? Do they plan to go along with him for the morning or for a longer time period? What do they suppose “fishers of men” means? I quickly jot these questions in my little notepad.
Now there are three strolling alongside the shore: Jesus, Peter, and Andrew. They are chatting and joking like they’ve all the time identified one another.
A little bit farther up the shore, they arrive throughout one other set of brothers, James and John. They are sitting of their boat with their dad, Zebedee, mending their nets.
Jesus calls to them, and instantly they depart their boat and their dad. Again, the immediacy of their response is beautiful. And Zebedee seems overjoyed that Jesus has known as his sons. What does he know? Has he already met Jesus? How can he not be upset that his sons are leaving him? I do know he wants their assist; he’s getting older. I’ve received so many questions.
We stroll a little farther, spherical a bend within the shoreline. Now there are 5: the 2 units of brothers and Jesus. They’re chatting and slapping one another on the again and having a grand time. It’s a heat bunch, and so they all seem to be outdated mates. At one level, they begin laughing so laborious that I begin laughing too. Their laughter is totally contagious.
I’m lagging behind a little as I quickly jot down my questions. Suddenly, Jesus stops, turns round, and appears me sq. within the eye. “How about you? Are you ready?”
I suppose I’ve had a little primer on how that is alleged to go, as a result of I’ve watched the way in which it went with the 2 units of brothers. But I’m nonetheless shocked. So many ideas swirl by way of my head! Primary amongst them is the thought that I’m not a fisherman. I’m simply alongside as a journalist gathering information for a story. But I actually like this bunch. And there’s one thing about this Jesus and his eyes. I don’t know what precisely it’s, but it surely’s irresistible. I’m considering I would dangle round for a whereas.
Ignatian Content Creators: The Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States is providing a free webinar collection on “The Ignatian Way to Tell Your Story and Build Your Audience.” Panelists embody Fr. Michael Rossmann, SJ, creator of The Freedom of Missing Out, Shannon Ok. Evans, and Charisse Broderick King. Learn extra.