A despondent man complained to his mother, saying: “I’ve stopped going to church for two reasons: I don’t like the people there, and the people don’t like me.”
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The mother gazed at him compassionately and said: “My son, you should go back to church. I’ll also give you two reasons why: you’re already 59 years old, and you are the parish priest!”
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When the Lord started his ministry, he called a core group who were fishermen: Peter and Andrew, James and John, and others to become henceforth “fishers of men” (Mk 1,17, gospel of this 3rd Sunday).
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Like that dejected parish priest in the story, these chosen followers were to continue Christ’s mission after He had ascended to heaven regardless if the people like them or not.
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FISHERS FOR LAITY, TOO. Unfortunately many have the wrong notion that the call of Christ to be “fishers of men” is addressed only to the apostles and their successors: popes, bishops and priests. That’s not true. Gone are the days when the laity simply say “Amen” or obey, pray and PAY.
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The Decree on the Laity of Vatican II states: “Incorporated into Christ’s Mystical Body through baptism and strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit through confirmation, the laity are assigned to the apostolate by the Lord himself” (3).
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Today we know of more and more numerous lay Catholics who sacrifice time, treasure and talent for the church. Think of the lay ministers, lectors, collectors, choir members, and yes, the various parish organizations like the Legion of Mary, Catholic Women’s League, Mother Butlers Guild who render their services gratis et amore.
Consider, too, the numerous lay Catholic renewal movements such as the Marriage Encounter, Couples for Christ, PREX (Parish Renewal Experience).
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Lest we forget, the most basic and effective form of being a “fisher” is through the TESTIMONY OF CHRISTIAN LIVING.
The British TV journalist Malcolm Muggeridge was a celebrity who did not care much about God and religion. He did something he swore he would never do – become a Catholic.
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What led to his conversion? He had an assignment to write about the late Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Travelling to India, Muggeridge thought the trip was just the usual work but the amazing thing was in the course of his talks and days of observation of the compassionate nun, he experienced a change of heart.
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Muggeridge said: “Words cannot express how much I owe her. She showed me Christianity in action.”
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ASK YOURSELF: Am I aware that as baptized Christian, I share in the apostolate of Christ as “fisher of men.”
Would lukewarm and non-Catholics be edified by my way of life so they would want to become Catholics or better ones?
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BIBLE QUIPS. Q. Who was the greatest comedian in the Bible? Ans: Samson. He brought the house down.
Q. Which servant of God was the most flagrant lawbreaker in the Bible? A. Moses. Because he broke all 10 Commandments at once. (That is, when he threw down the stone tablet inscribed with the 10 Commandments)
Q. What do they call pastors in Germany? A. German Shepherds. (Fr. Bel R. San Luis, SVD)
