Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. (Mk 1,18)
…they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with
the hired men and followed him.(Mk 1,20)
Every following demands a leaving.
Leaving of someone/something.
If one wants to follow a successful life
then he/she leaves behind the ways that lead to failure
If one wants a particular purposeful life
then he/she leaves the present life
If one wants a new life in Christ (Like PAUL)
Then he leaves the old life of Adam.
We can go on saying the same.
In the present story Peter, Andrew, James, and John
leave behind the nets and their father.
Peter and Andrew were casting their nets in the sea for a catch.
While they were in their job – as they were doing their job
they leave and follow. Not after much reflection
and prayer and consultation and discernment.
They hear the call and they go at once.
So also James and John,they were mending their nets
may be after a catch or getting ready for a catch
and when called they leave behind and follow.
In as much as follwoing is important
so also leaving something behind is important
Many a times we like to keep something with us ( for security)
and try to follow also the invitation.
Following demands ( it seems so) a total leaving behind of
things and persons.
It is also following a person (JESUS) not an ideology
or a principle or a dogma.
Following a person seems to be easy.
But leaving behind !!!
We like to walk forward (follow),but looking behind
and not leaving behind.
LEAVE YOUR NETS THAT ENTANGLE YOU
NETS THAT NAIL YOU TO A PLACE
NETS THAT HOLD YOU WITH SOME ONE
YES LEAVE THE NETS BEHIND AND
WALK FREE TO FOLLOW
