November 30 - Sam Bianco '01
Matthew 4:18-22
Today's Advent reflection is on Matthew 4:18-22 from Mr. Sam Bianco '01.
This is a Gospel excerpt that many of us probably first heard at a young age. It always struck me as an extraordinary command and promise Jesus made to his first followers: “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” I often wondered why Jesus made a comparison to fishing and discipleship.
I find fishing an activity that is easy to quit, especially after waiting a long period of time for a bite and having little or no success. Similar frustrations may surface when we attempt to be good disciples - we may find that we try to be Christ-like to others, but are not always treated the same in return. The apostles’ response to Jesus in this Gospel is immediate. Jesus asks them to leave their nets and boats and follow Him right then and there. Following Jesus is a choice, and doing so demands an immediate and deliberate response.
I imagine that Peter and Andrew’s response to Jesus’ call was filled with excitement, but with that excitement probably came feelings of anxiety, nervousness, and fear. We have probably found that being a disciple of Christ today is no easy task. Navigating the world today while living out the Gospels can be complex, exhausting, and burdensome. But the opportunities for discipleship are abundant.
I might ask myself the following questions:
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This is a Gospel excerpt that many of us probably first heard at a young age. It always struck me as an extraordinary command and promise Jesus made to his first followers: “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” I often wondered why Jesus made a comparison to fishing and discipleship.
I find fishing an activity that is easy to quit, especially after waiting a long period of time for a bite and having little or no success. Similar frustrations may surface when we attempt to be good disciples - we may find that we try to be Christ-like to others, but are not always treated the same in return. The apostles’ response to Jesus in this Gospel is immediate. Jesus asks them to leave their nets and boats and follow Him right then and there. Following Jesus is a choice, and doing so demands an immediate and deliberate response.
I imagine that Peter and Andrew’s response to Jesus’ call was filled with excitement, but with that excitement probably came feelings of anxiety, nervousness, and fear. We have probably found that being a disciple of Christ today is no easy task. Navigating the world today while living out the Gospels can be complex, exhausting, and burdensome. But the opportunities for discipleship are abundant.
I might ask myself the following questions:
- How do I respond when I encounter someone with an opposing belief or opinion?
- Am I able to treat people with kindness and respect who don’t seem to care to treat me the same?
- How do I serve those in my community who are poor, vulnerable, sick, and indifferent?
- Just as the apostles left their nets and boats, what do I need to “leave behind” that may be an obstacle to discipleship in my own life (an attitude, words, a behavior)?
This Advent, let us embrace each other’s differences and be present to one another as we allow Christ to be present in our own lives. Let us treat each other with the compassion and kindness that each person deserves. Perhaps this Advent offers me a fresh start on my own journey to discipleship.
Mount Saint Joseph High School
Mount Saint Joseph is a Catholic, college preparatory school for young men sponsored by the Xaverian Brothers.
