Is it worth the Calling?

                          (Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle)

Scripture:    As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zeb'edee and John his brother, in the boat with Zeb'edee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him. Matt 4:18-22

Reflection:  This incident is so dramatic and unbelievable: How can these two brothers so foolishly leave everything and follow Jesus by leaving behind all they had?

Or shall we ask the question the other way: Why are people so foolish to hold on to things which are perishable and will not last? 

What appealed to them, the person of Christ or the mission or could it be that the mission of Christ communicated it all; the persona of the man Jesus.

A person who has reflected on the futility of life is capable of leaving behind all that they have and Christian history and life of the saints are primary witness to these possibilities.

If individuals and even small children are willing to leave home and everything for the sake of mental peace how much more then when it is the Prince of peace himself inviting you.  Will you still refuse?

Prayer:  Lord, Here I come before you, make of me what you choose for me.  

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Thy will be done

Scripture: As they were going along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." 58 And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head." Luke 9:57-58

Reflection: What a whole hearted expression and perhaps the only case in the Gospels of one who on his own has volunteered to follow the Lord and master. 

Did it please the Master? No, it did not.

Lesson to learn: We prefer the securities of human friendship, health, spiritual and material benefit. No wonder there is such a huge following for the prosperity Gospel that is proclaimed all over the world and which is a scandal of our generation. 

No one wants the insecurities that come like a package deal for following the Gospel.  I want to follow Christ because he will fulfill my wants, my wants which are my need. I do not want to just follow him. It's a narrow and lonely path.

 What I fail to realize is this; my actual need is primarily what the Lord has to give.  “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" Matt 4:4

Prayer:  Lord, I want to follow as you desire of me.  Thy will be done in my life.