Occasionally I am asked how I ended up being a Salesian. The story goes back about 40 years. I had been baptized and was active in our youth group. As a teenager, my dream had been to either be an airline pilot, a business owner or a journalist. But I also sensed that the Lord might have other plans for my life.
The turning point came in May 1984, one month after my high school graduation. I recall my beloved Fr. Rector, Rev. Benedict Furtado asking me to go with him to the seminary where he was being assigned. I vividly recall staying up late that night, pacing my bedroom, pondering my future. What did God want me to do? What could I do? What should I do? After pacing the floor, I eventually went to bed. Later I woke up with a strong sense that God was speaking to me and calling me into the Salesian life. I didn’t hear an angelic choir or see strange lights, but I was aware that God had spoken to me. Nearly a third of a century has passed since then, and I have sometimes wandered and often still do wonder, but I have never doubted God.
Over the years I have come to two conclusions: 1) Christ still calls men and women to follow him today, and 2) Christ still calls men and women to serve him full-time.
Our text this Sunday is the story of how Christ called Peter to be his disciple. In the beginning of the story, he is fishing for fish; by the end of the story he is fishing for men. I find it fascinating to consider the men Jesus chose as his first disciples. It’s clear that he didn’t go to an executive search firm or visit the placement office at the local college. He started by calling men with dirt under their fingernails, blue-collar types, men without much education, men who knew about hard work and the value of perseverance. Fishermen. Jesus chose fishermen as his first followers. Not very likely. Not how we would do it.
I wonder why he started with fishermen? I think I know the answer. Fishermen understand this story very well. To be a fisherman you need patience above everything else. Sometimes people ask, “How can you stand there by the bank or in the boat or in the water for hours on end, waiting for a fish to bite?” The answer is, “It’s easy.” That’s what fishing is all about.
For Peter and the others following Christ meant leaving behind the old life (including the incredible catch of fish), giving up the boats and the nets and their livelihood, and following Christ into an unknown future. Letting go must always come first. Anything that hinders our walk with Christ must go. Even some good things must go in order that better things may come from the Lord. We can’t have it both ways.
The word “followed” means “to walk the same road.” That’s what a disciple does—he walks the same road as Jesus. He gets on the “Jesus road” and follows it wherever it may lead. No guarantees, no deals, no special promises. He simply walks that road every day, following in his Master’s steps. Don’t be afraid to follow Jesus. You’ll never regret starting down the “Jesus road.” You’ll only regret that you waited so long to do it.
Are you ready to follow Jesus wherever he leads? That’s all he wants. They gave up everything and followed him! And my heart cries out, “Me too, Lord. Me too!” How’s your walk with Jesus going?
God bless you. In Mary Help of Christians, Fr. Franco