They Left Everything and Followed Him

I recently heard again the beautiful story of the beginnings of St. Peter’s discipleship.

To be accurate, this probably wasn’t the very beginning; he obviously had some familiarity with Jesus before he let him use his boat.

There is so much in this passage; so much for reflection and meditation.

I was glad to have had the chance to pray with this text this morning before Mass during my mediation.  One phrase that stuck out to me as I “heard” this text for the second time today was: “they left everything and followed him.”

I realized, upon further reflection, that each of us is called (in a sense) to leave everything and follow him each day of our lives.

Different days, this can mean different things.  I have different things I cling to at different times.

My desire to do things my way, to say what I  want, to have a relationship go according to my plans; I should be willing to “leave” all this behind at Jesus’ call.  He may be asking me to go beyond my selfishness, to step beyond my own ideas.  Like Peter in another gospel account, maybe I need to “get out of the boat” and walk toward Jesus on the water.

What I am doing may not be gravely wrong (I hope and pray not), but I may be called to leave it behind for something better.

When I made my vows, I gave myself to Jesus, following Him in a special way.  This gospel passage reminded me of the need, on a daily basis, to be like Peter and Andrew.

I have to be open to what Jesus may be asking me to leave today, be it my impatience with others, my curiosity, or another pettiness.

Unlike Peter, I do not say: “”Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful [wo]man” for I desperately need and want his companionship.