The call of our first Apostles, Peter and Andrew, James and John, a fascinating scene in our Gospels. I’ve always wondered how this happened. How were these four fisherman able just to drop their nets, to drop everything they were doing, leave their father behind in one case, and follow a relative stranger, Jesus? How did this happen? It’s worth pondering about, it’s worth actually placing yourself in that scene. What would you have done? Would you have been able to follow the Lord? To drop your nets wherever they may be? And take up the path of Discipleship?

Now how did it happen? Did Jesus hypnotize them? Was this some sort of miracle? I don’t think so. I don’t think it was a miracle in that sense. Jesus didn’t force them. He didn’t hypnotize them to follow. Were the Apostles upset with their way of life? Were they dissatisfied and were they looking for an out. They weren’t happy being fishermen, is that why they followed the Lord? No, I don’t think so either. So what made them follow Jesus Christ? I think it was because of Jesus’ attractiveness. Here was a man that was beautiful. Here was a man that was simple and kind. There was a radiance that came from our Lord and that’s why they followed him. They desired to be close to Jesus. Being a fisherman, being even a son or a brother, wasn’t as good as being a Disciple of Jesus Christ. So that’s why I believe friends, they dropped their nets and they followed him.

Discipleship of Jesus Christ, it’s an attractive lifestyle. He comes to each and every one of us and he says the same thing that he said to those four men 2,000 years ago. “Drop your nets and follow me.” If we can answer that call, if we can drop whatever we’re doing, and follow our Lord, because he is attractive. Not because we’re afraid or because we’re dissatisfied with something, but because of the goodness of our Lord, if we can drop our nets and follow him, we’ll live an incredible life of joy and ultimately, we’ll be on the path to saintliness. Brothers and Sisters, let’s take up our cross and follow our loving Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.