“As he was walking along by the Sea of Galilee he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net in the lake – for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you into fishers of men.’ And at once they left their nets and followed him.” (Mark 1: 16 – 18)
Notice how Simon and Andrew reacted to the call of Jesus. They answered at once and followed him to become fishers of men. Many are called to collaborate with Jesus closely in his work of building the kingdom of God. It seems that few answer the call. I imagine that fewer respond at once and with enthusiasm.
The crisis of vocation in the Church is a mystery. Why do few people want to respond to the call of Jesus to become fishers of men? Why do people prefer to have temperamental, selfish bosses in their places of employment rather than Jesus who is the best of bosses? Why should celibacy constitute an obstacle to answering the call of Christ to the priesthood when everybody knows that today one out of every two Christian marriages fail woefully, leaving behind them trails of unhappiness sometimes for life? The psalmist prayed to God to show him the shortness of life so that he can gain wisdom of heart. Why is it that in considering the call of Jesus, we are blinded to the truth of the brevity of this life and the eternity of everlasting life?
Lord Jesus, you are God. You know all things. You know the answer to all these questions. You are the good Shepherd who has promised to provide all that your Church needs. May your divine mercy be upon your Church and grant us numerous good vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Amen.
May we all, by virtue of our baptism, answer that call.
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