Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. 

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. 

But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. 

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.

New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.

Few people leave everything by choice. Yet, that is exactly what Simon, James, and John do.

Imagine their nets, overflowing with fish, left in a heap on the beach.

Picture their boat - empty - along the shore.

Think of their families later that night, reclining at table with vacant seats.

Earlier in the story, though, we catch a glimpse of something else these men leave behind.

These were fishermen who knew how to do their job. How strange, even laughable, it must have been to receive tips from a carpenter-turned-wandering-preacher. But instead of ignoring Jesus, laughing at him, or putting him in his place, they listen.

These three men have also left behind the need to be right.

The need to be self-sufficient.

The need for control.

Jesus invites them to follow a different way. And they are astonished by the results. 

In your own life, what is Jesus inviting you to leave behind to follow him more fully and freely?

—Lauren Hackman-Brooks is a spiritual director, retreat facilitator and writer who currently serves as the director of mission formation for the Jesuit Schools Network of North America.

I beg of you, my Lord,
to remove anything which separates
me from you, and you from me.
Remove anything that makes me unworthy
of your sight, your control, your reprehension;
of your speech and conversation,
of your benevolence and love.
Cast from me every evil
that stands in the way of my seeing you,
hearing, tasting, savoring, and touching you;
fearing and being mindful of you;
knowing, trusting, loving, and possessing you;
being conscious of your presence
and, as far as may be, enjoying you.
This is what I ask for myself
and earnestly desire from you. Amen.

—St. Peter Faber, SJ in Hearts on Fire: Praying with Jesuits