CAUGHT UP IN A GREATER LIFE
“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” – Mt 4:19
This past Saturday, I met a most captivating little girl. Maibely was the two-year-old sister of the quinceanera who celebrated her fifteenth birthday. Maibely was full of life, personality, and charisma. She greeted me and others with a song, danced swirlingly the entire evening, and drew other children to her side. Her rest on the dance floor consisted of looks of curiosity and wonder. She posed for every photo with a sparkle in her eyes and hands to her hips. Her joie de vivrewas contagious. Her presence beckons.
Maibely reminds me of Jesus in today’s Gospel. With a simple yet life-giving power, Jesus’ call captivates the first four disciples to leave their nets, boats, and families to follow him. How powerful his’ invitation must have been for the disciples to respond in such a decisive and definitive way?
We are drawn toward greater life. My older brother and I were attracted to our first Ignatian Silent Retreat when we saw how life-giving it was to our aunt and cousin. Both were already faith-filled women, but they returned from the retreat markedly different, happier, and lived more meaningfully. My brother and I wanted what they had. We were drawn to a greater life emerging in them. Like Andrew, they experienced a personal encounter with Jesus. He drew greater life out of them.
The word “fishers” in today’s Gospel can also be translated as “catchers”. Unlike fishing, which kills the fish, Jesus’ invitation to “catch people” gives life. It involves being drawn greater into the life of God and drawing others to be “caught” up into greater life.
Advent is a time to be caught up in a greater life with God.
Who or what draws me to risk living beyond my comfort zone? What experience of “being called” am I invited to revisit today?