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| From the net |
I. Introduction
This is a reflection or meditation entitled: “Come follow me; the path of life”. It is inspired by a biblical text from the Gospel according to Saint Matthew 4, 18-22.
Here, it is a question of the call or vocation of the first 4 Apostles; Andrew, Simon, James and John.
We have chosen this title “Come follow Christ as the path of life”, because during Lent Season every Friday, 7 in total, we do the way of the cross. We follow Christ on his journey towards his death on the cross. And this cross gives us eternal life. This, then, is the true vocation of every Christian called to follow Christ. It is therefore a question of living our vocation with the way of the cross as its mirror.
Let us therefore listen to the Gospel of Matthew 4: 18-22.:
18 As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two
brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the
sea; because they were fishermen.
19 He said to them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of
men.
20 Immediately they left the nets and followed him.
21 Having gone further from there, he saw two other brothers,
James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were in a boat with Zebedee
their father, mending their nets.
22 He called them, and immediately they left the boat and their
father, and followed him.
After 40 days and 40 nights in the desert, Jesus returned to Galilee, Mt 4:12 , which is the region of his hometown, Nazareth. He then goes for a walk in this region; that is to say, after Nazareth, he goes to Capernaum, and to Zebulun and finally to Naphtali. It is in this great region of Galilee that he will begin to preach, saying: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Let us remember that this was the evangelical message of Ash Wednesday.
And it is along the Sea of Galilee (Lake Kineret/ Lake Gennesaret/ Lake Tiberias) that he will call these first 4 disciples.
Let us remember that it is on this Sea of Galilee where:
i. he will walk on the waters; Mt 14:25
ii. he will make two miraculous catches; Jn 21, 1-7/ Lk 5, 1-11
iii. he will calm the storm Mk 4, 35-41
III. Analysis of the text
It is very interesting to note that our reflection text begins
by saying: “As he walked by the Sea of
Galilee…” v.18a.
Jesus himself is on his way. He was walking. Like you and I we can walk along the sea; along the road; along the veranda; along the corridor; throughout the plantation; throughout stores etc. He was walking towards a destination.
The life of a Christian is a walk or pilgrim towards the glory that God allows us to taste here below, but reserves for us in fullness in heaven. Lent is a journey/ walk towards Easter. And so, we walk towards the heavenly Easter. That is to say, we are pilgrims.
By setting himself on a walk/ journey, man learns to know himself. The road/ way gives him the opportunity to witness his faith. It is making good use of the opportunities the road gives, hence progress in life. The man who does not walk or venture in life, does not progress!
Following Jesus implies a walk. The first 4 disciples, once called by Jesus, left the water walking towards the edge of the Lake where Jesus was. That is, they marched towards a dry land. They left a precarious place, the waters, which man could never master. It is a journey or a walk towards the place where man controls very well and even feels safe, the land.
Moreover, it is a step towards the very material of his creation, because he was created in the image of God with dust or earth Gn 2:7. It is therefore a step towards humanization. This is a walk that will make them more human.
Let us therefore walk together with Jesus towards his cross, a sign of our glory, a place where we would become more human, hence identifying who we are.
1st
STATION:
JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH
Ø IDENTITY
Our text tells us:
“…there saw two brothers, Simon, called Peter, and Andrew,” v.18b. And again: “he saw two other brothers, James, son of Zebedee, and John, his brother…” v. 21a.
Here, it is a question of the Identity of his first 4 disciples. The evangelical author gives them the names; Simon also called Peter, Andrew, James and John.
In the Gospel of Mark 3:13-19, the name of all the twelve is very clear. All their names are given.
In the celebrations of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage and Order as well as in the rite of Religious Profession of Vows, the name of the candidate in question must always be called out loud. It’s about being clear on the candidate’s identity.
At the 1st station, what is highlighted is the identity of Jesus. It already began in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus asks the soldiers: “Who are you looking for? » Jn 18, 4-8. *(NB To the disciples, he will ask: What are you looking for? » Jn 1, 38). Judas Iscariot by his kiss will ratify the identity of Jesus to those who did not know him, Mk 14, 44-45.
The question of his identity will be revealed even more clearly before the High Priest, Mk 14, 61. And this will be done again in the Praetorium before Pilate who will ask him the question: “Are you the king of the Jews? » Jn 18, 33/ Mk 15, 2. Addressing the crowd later, Pilate asked “which one do you want me to release to you, Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ? » Mt 27:17.
How do you understand the meaning of your identity; you as a Christian called by the Lord, and even more as a religious and priest?
Of course in the discernment of your identity also come or arise the difficulties, challenges, blockages etc. So you will be like Jesus condemned and put on the path to his death on the cross because of misunderstanding of his identity.
We live in a society where we are going through an identity crisis. You just have to see at what level we seek to normalize homosexuality, how many marriages collapse every week everywhere, the priests who leave the altar for other hidden adventures within priesthood, etc.
We are looking more for an identity that will provide comfort and even security to us. And if the opposite is the case, we fall! In times of identity crisis, it is good to seek help from other people.
2nd & 5th
STATIONS:
JESUS ACCEPTS HIS CROSS HELPED BY SIMON OF CYRENE
Ø RELATIONSHIP
Our text tells us: “He said to them: Follow me...” v. 19a.
Jesus wants to begin a relationship with his disciples whom he calls to follow him. But later on the road, Jesus declares to an unnamed man who wanted to follow him that “foxes have dens, birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has no place where he can rest his head” Lk 9:58.
This is how following Christ means renouncing oneself and taking up one's cross, Mt 16:21-27. It is losing one's life for Christ's sake, and finding it later!
The second station of the way of the cross shows us Jesus, the king of the Jews, Son of God, taking his cross towards Golgotha, the place of the skull, Jn19, 17.
To follow Jesus is to be with him on his way of the cross. It is to enter into a relationship with him. So we have to give up certain things so that we can be like him.
Regarding the relationship, we join this 2nd station with the 5th; where Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry his cross.
Besides, why should we follow Christ?
It is to answer his call. Jesus’ call is for us to be like the Father. That is to say, be merciful like the Father, Lk 6:36.
This is how Jesus later said to his disciples: “Give them something to eat yourself”, Lk 9:10-17. That is to say, help them yourself to strengthen your ties with them through the little you have, especially in the spirit of thanksgiving to the Lord.
Our relationships with God, with others and with our environment should help us create opportunities to progress in life; they must bring us hope.
So if we are in good relationships, even if we are going through difficulties, we can say with Saint Paul that nothing will separate us from the love of the Lord, Rom 8, 38-39.
3rd, 7th & 9th
STATIONS:
JESUS FALLS DOWN
Ø POWER
Our text tells us: “James, the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother, who were in a boat with Zebedee their father, and were mending their nets.” v. 21.
There is a lot of hard physical work of fishing that goes on in the lake, especially in the time of Jesus with lack of technology. The fisherman must first arrange the net, or repair it as Zebedee, his two sons and his workers did, cf., Mt 4:21.
After that, they have to throw the nets into the lake like Simon and his brother Andrew did, Mt 4, 18. And then after having worked all night, at dawn, they have to go and pull out the nets only to start sorting out the catch, Mt 13, 47-50.
All this, the fisherman has to have enough strength! He has to be invested with a certain power. Power is a capacity, a faculty, a possibility of doing something. It is a grace coming from God.
So, here is the divine promise: “I will send upon you what my Father has promised… stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high” Luke 24:49.
Three stations namely 3rd, 7th and 9th meditate on Jesus who falls under the weight of the cross. His face fell to the ground. Earth or soil or dust comes from the Latin “humus”. This reminds us of humility, of which they share the root word. Jesus Christ, Son of the Mighty God, humbles himself by the weight of the wood of his cross. He experienced physical and moral suffering. But he resided in the will of his Father. “Then he said to them; My soul is sad unto death…” Mt 26:38.
And speaking to his Father, he said, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to pass away without me drinking it, your will be done!” » Mt 26:42.
The search for his Father's will remained his fundamental choice. And he will share this thirst to do God's will despite all suffering in our vocation. This is how he will teach his disciples to pray so that the will of the Father may be done, Mt 6:9-13.
There will be times when we fall on our path of following Christ. For example, the disciples could not cast out the evil spirit and Jesus' response was shocking: "O unbelieving race...how long shall I be with you?" Mk 9, 15-24. We will fall morally, financially, physically as well as spiritually. We must therefore always rely on the help of a spiritual guide or spiritual director; Simon of Cyrene, to encourage us to forge ahead.
To go all the way, we must therefore be invested with the power of the Most High, Lk 1:35a, just as the Virgin Mary was invested with the Holy Spirit. This is why she was able to go through difficulties with great serenity until the foot of the cross.
My friend, the power of God also comes with others who are there to help you; to encourage you to carry the cross of your vocation.
4th
STATION:
JESUS MEETS HIS AFFLICTED MOTHER
Ø PERSONAL MEETING
Our text tells us: “As he
was walking along the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, called
Peter, and Andrew, his brother,…”
v. 18.
Jesus sees the two brothers. It’s a personal look that penetrates to the hearts of Simon and Andrew. Likewise, a short distance away, he goes to see the other brothers, James and John.
This exchange of glances or crossing of eyes transcends words.
The gaze of Mary and that of her Son towards his death meet. The two, Mary and Jesus, do not speak to each other! It was a personal encounter that made Mary remember the words of old Simeon who told her that “a sword will pierce your soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” Lk 2:35.
Thanks to this personal encounter of Mary and Jesus our thoughts were revealed in our own encounters with the Lord.
This is conceivable by our response to God's call. Marie is the model of this clear answer, the FIAT given with joy. Here I am the servant of the Lord, “may it be done to me according to your word!” » Lk 1, 38.
There was a personal encounter between Jesus and his disciples whom he called and whom he continues to call today.
For this personal encounter to happen, precise time and place are necessary. But beware! There are certain things or attitudes that prevent this personal encounter with the Lord. These include, among others:
i. Disordered love of self, Mt 16, 24- 25
ii. Exaggerated family concern, Mk 10, 29-30
iii. Being too concerned with the life of others to the point of accusing them, Lk 10, 41-42
iv. Being too much preoccupied by ephemeral material goods
When we have a true personal encounter with the Lord we will be like Abraham our father of faith and friend of God, Is 41, 8/ Gen 18, who let himself be guided by God. This trains us to become perfect like the Father Himself Mt 5:48.
6th STATION:
VERONICA WIPES JESUS’ FACE
Ø PERFECTION
Our text tells us: “Immediately they left the nets and followed him.” v. 20.
Perfection is experienced in the obedience and promptness of their response to Jesus’ call. In fact, it is to quickly seek a life of excellence, to have a higher quality life, a pleasant quality lifestyle.
The call to the excellent or perfect life summarizes Jesus' preaching on the mountain in Matthew Chapter 5.
By wiping Jesus' face, Veronica wanted this image disfigured by blood, dust and sweat to be clean; that is to say, it must be perfect.
Let us remember when Jesus was at table with a Pharisee, a sinful woman came crying at his feet. Then she wiped them with her hair and kissed them, finishing with an anointing of perfume, Lk 7:36-50.
On his way to his passion, Jesus himself cleaned the feet of his disciples, Jn 13:4-5.
Let's return to Veronica, Jesus is going to leave his image on Veronica's linen/ veil. Psalm 27, 8-9 says: “My heart says of you; ‘Seek his face!’ I seek your face, O Lord. Do not hide your face from me…”
How can I seek the face of the Lord? It is in the search for
perfection without delay. For it is on this path that the true image of God in
us destroyed/disfigured by sin is wiped/ washed by the blood and sweat of
Jesus.
It is to immediately leave the nets that bind us and go eagerly to embrace Christ. Thus Christ makes us the true heirs of the Kingdom of God.
8th STATION:
JESUS CONSOLES THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM
Ø HERITAGE
Our text tells us: “He called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.” v.22.
In the construction of the Jewish family the father was the undisputed head of the family. In him, the tradition and heritage of temporal goods as well as spiritual goods are embodied.
Therefore, by leaving their father Zebedee, James and John broke with their traditions and even their future temporal and spiritual goods that they should inherit from Zebedee. Perhaps this is the fundamental concern of their mother when she asks Jesus that her children be one on his left and the other on his right, as true heirs of the Kingdom of God, Mt 20, 20- 21, because they have already lost the earthly inheritance.
Inheritance is the property acquired through succession. Otherwise, it is understood also as a patrimony.
Zebedee's wife was right, for Jesus later asked the daughters of Jerusalem not to cry for him, but rather to cry for themselves and for their children, Lk 23:27-29.
Jesus consoles them because the true heritage is to become the
son and daughter of God by responding to his call to follow him.
They cried when they saw Jesus left alone, abandoned in the way by his disciples and his Father when he was facing his suffering. This was the time when he should be more encouraged and helped by his Father and his brothers, the disciples.
These women did not see the hope behind the wood of the cross that Jesus carried. The latter, for his part, saw this hope of inheriting the Kingdom of his Father through his cross. This is how he will comfort them.
By leaving our customs, material goods, our biological families, our native villages to follow Christ, some people can never see the spiritual values which push us to a radical life of consecrated person.
Their tears often come from regrets and even mockery why not! But the good news is that the Christ we follow is full of providence. Let us recall that this same Christ had assured Peter by saying that “I tell you the truth, there is no one who, for the sake of the kingdom of God, has left his house, or his wife, or his brothers, or his parents, or his children, will receive much more in this age, and, in the age to come, eternal life.” Lk 18, 28-30.
10th
STATION:
JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS CLOTHES
Ø PROVIDENCE
Our text tells us: “Immediately they left the nets and followed him.” v.20.
It should be noted that the nets and the boat helped these fishermen find what to eat and survive in life. They left all of this, putting their lives somehow in danger of survival.
At the call of Matthew or Levi in Lk 5:27-32, we see how Levi left his place of work, that is to say, the place which ensured his daily bread, to follow Jesus. He will go even further by offering a big feast at his home, in his house. This is to say that he is going to empty his food store and the supply of food that he kept in case something happens, to take a new path with Jesus Christ. This is self-emptying.
In fact, the disciples trusted in the divine providence.
But it’s a cross to carry. This business of divine providence is possible to experience but it comes with great challenges. That’s why we have to pray for the daily bread as Jesus taught us, Mt 6, 9-13.
Let us remember that these are the same disciples who will later discuss the lack of bread, Mk 8, 14-21. And even after the death and resurrection of Jesus, some of them will return to the lake to catch fish, Jn 21:3.
On the cross, Jesus responds to his Father's call to save the
world, by being naked. He placed himself completely in the providential hands
of his Father. (See the stripping of Job; Job 1, 20-21).
On the contrary, Adam, naked by his disobedience to the Lord in
the Garden of Eden, will hide from the divine providence, Genesis 3: 10-11.
He who had his clothes become white as light, Mt 17, 1-9, Jesus, now shares with the soldiers his same clothes made red by his blood, Jn 19, 23.
Divine providence is seen when God restores man broken down by sin. It is about giving man life in fullness.
Moreover, Jesus came to give life in abundance, Jn 10:10. In so
doing, he brought us into communion with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
11th & 12th
STATIONS:
JESUS NAILED DIED ON THE CROSS
Ø COMMUNION-PRAYER
Our text tells us: “From there having gone further,…” v.21.
Why did Jesus call his disciples and continues to call them to this day? It should have been limited to the call of Simon and Andrew, that’s all! Besides, he is powerful and could invest just the two first disciples with so much power to spread his good news wherever he wanted to go and forget about the others. Yes, it was to restore a New Israel by respecting the number 12, as in 12 tribes of Israel.
But, he decides to move a little further.
We normally talk of the deceased brothers and sisters to have “gone”. This “gone further” of Jesus Christ finds its fulfillment through his death on the cross. By his death on the cross, he moved further away. He went further to seek other souls in hell, as we profess in the Creed, symbol of the Apostles.
Even on the cross, he goes further to call one of the criminals crucified with him: “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Lk 23:43
Jesus accepts and does this so that you, others and I can have
life in fullness within communion of God. It is a great sign of love, Romans
13, 10. Hence we enter into communion with God the Father, through Jesus Christ
his only Son, and in the Holy Spirit.
We must therefore let the sin in us die in order to be worthy of entering into communion with God.
There are certain bad habits in us that are very difficult to leave behind. So when we try leaving them, it gives us sadness. It hurts us as if we were physically dying.
We therefore need a deepened life of prayer. As Jesus cried on the cross: “Father, I commit my spirit into your hands”, Lk 23:46. We must put our spirits into the hands of God, even if it means through crying out loudly.
Prayer is food that grows our communion with God. We must pray without ceasing, at all times, Mt 7:7-11. Jesus himself remained in communion with his Father through prayer. He even taught us how to pray, even in secret (spirit of Lent) so as to remain in communion with God, Mt 6, 5-13.
The fruit of this communion fueled by prayer is service.
13th
& 14th STATION:
JESUS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS IS PUT INTO THE TOMB
Ø SERVICE-PARDON
Our text tells us: “…I will make you fishers of men.” v. 19.
Joseph of Arimathea went to take the body of Jesus from the cross to put it in the tomb. What service rendered to the sacred body of Jesus! It is a work of mercy.
This is the true response to Jesus' call by his disciples;
service or commitment to others, as our reflection text tells us. The disciple
of Christ is henceforth the one who fishes the other from his misery to
happiness.
As has already been said, the work of catching fish is not easy, just as the work of fishing men is equally very difficult.
Of course it was not easy enough for Joseph of Arimathea to lower the body of Jesus from the cross and place it in the tomb.
First, he should have been provided with permission from Pilate, Lk 24, 52. Then, he should go and seek out the disciples who were already scattered, Jn 16, 32, who even seemingly didn’t want to touch blood so as not to be unclean for seven good days, Numbers 19: 16, and the crowd who turned away from the cross. Besides, this crowd was there just taking a look Lk 24:49. Finally, he would have to get a tomb and linen, that is to say, incur some expenses. Thank God he was helped by Nicodemus, Jn 19: 39-41.
All this requires sacrifice of one's time, one's relationships as well as one's financial means. Do we still sacrifice ourselves for others like Joseph of Arimathea did?
To serve one another very well, we must have within us the spirit of forgiveness. Because it happens from time to time that we do not serve Christ who is manifested in the smallest or least in the society Mt 25, 44 by our life of too much calculation.
Here we are at the end of our reflection on this call from the Lord to follow him on his path of the cross which becomes our path of life. This is in order to respond well to our Christian vocation which is a vocation to eternal life.
We believe that this reflection has just awakened in you the thirst to follow the Lord, who is the Way of Life Jn 14: 1-6, with sincerity and to prepare well for Easter; especially the celestial Easter that awaits us in heaven.
May God take good care of you and illumine your way of life. Amen
