Matthew 4:18-22

As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.

Opening Prayer: Lord, thank you for this time to reflect on what you are calling me to. Open my heart so that I may be as generous in my response as your first disciples were.

Encountering Christ:

1. Call to Prayer: After receiving news of John’s arrest, Jesus took time to pray and then called his first disciples. He had a mission to accomplish and he focused on two important elements: prayer and communion. He turned to his Father and then invited others to join in his mission. He didn’t waste any time getting started. The time he had was limited and had to be used wisely. The mission we are called to also comes with a sense of urgency, and a call to repentance, prayer, and then action.

2. A New Way of Life: Andrew and Simon were in the midst of their work, casting their nets in the sea. James and John were mending their nets, preparing for the next day’s work. Yet when Jesus called them, they immediately left their work, their former way of life, and their families to follow him. This not only shows us that Jesus must have had a powerful presence, but also that he wants to have a close relationship with us, which can require that we leave certain things behind. He asks a lot from us as his disciples, but the graces that he gives us in return make it all worth it!

3. Called to Action: We know that Jesus called his disciples to himself, and eventually he sent them out to continue the mission he started with them. This is how Jesus continues to work in the world today. He calls us to come to him in prayer, he forms us, he reveals his love to us, and then he sends us out. He launches us in our own vocation, among our own people, and gives us a mission to bring others—our family, children, friends, and coworkers—to him so that he can reveal his love to them as well.

Conversing with Christ: Lord, I want to be an effective apostle, to be the apostle you call me to be. Show me what I need to let go of so I can be more deeply convicted, grow in closer relationship with you, and bring others to know and love you. Thank you, Lord, for entrusting to me the souls you have placed in my life. Be my guide and my strength always.

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will look at how I am being an intentional apostle. Are there areas where I need to trust more in your plan and less on my own?

For Further Reflection: The Soul of the Apostolate written by Jean-Baptiste Chautard is an inspiring read that emphasizes that the fruit of our work relies on the depth of our interior life and our dependence on God.