Homily: Janaury 13, Monday of the first week in Ordinary time (Come After me)

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"Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men."

Jesus called out to Simon and Andrew. Without hesitation, they left their nets and followed Him. Just a few moments later and a short distance further, Jesus called out the same to James and John, and they, too, left their father and workers to follow Him.

Did they know what was required to be fishers of men? What commitment did they have to make? What would it cost them to give up their familiar trade? What if the invitation turned out bad? What if it was a scam? What if Jesus was a false prophet?

There are many considerations before making a major life changing decision, right?

Yes, right, and that is what I would usually do when faced with a major decision. Very often I would think of the many options and alternatives, I worry about making mistakes, I worry about consequences, to the point where I would not be able to decide, I cannot move on, I feel overwhelmed.

I would respond, “Let me pray about it.”

Yes, I would pray, but I may still be stuck. Why can’t I be spontaneous like the first disciples?

A good friend of mine would often remind me: “Father, don’t overthink it - just do it.”

Yes, when it comes to following our Lord in whatever mission He is calling us to, we should not overthink. We should trust Him. 

That could be the difference between the first disciples and us. They had a childlike trust in Jesus’ call while we analyze and rationalize till we are paralyzed.

Jesus’ invitation is not a call to take up a job, a task or a role but an invitation to a relationship with Him - to trust Him completely, to give Him our life fully, to follow Him steadily.

Today, many young men and women struggle with discernment, especially when it comes to vocations to the priesthood or religious life. The world presents so many alternatives. Among the options, Jesus’ invitation gets sidelined. Amid the noise, Jesus’ voice gets drowned.

Yet He continues to call and invite us. Are we listening? Do we trust?

Look not at the work but look at the Master. He does not say, “Do this job,” but says, ‘come after me.”

We pray for ourselves and especially for our young people. May we give room for Jesus in our hearts, open our ears to His voice, and respond to His call with the same simplicity, spontaneity, and promptness as the first disciples.

Amen.


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