When Jesus heard that John had been arrested,
he withdrew to Galilee.
He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea,
in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,
that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet
might be fulfilled:
Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles,
the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light,
on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death
light has arisen.
From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say,
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers,
Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew,
casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen.
He said to them,
“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
At once they left their nets and followed him.
He walked along from there and saw two other brothers,
James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.
They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets.
He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father
and followed him.
He went around all of Galilee,
teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness among the people.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As I read the words in today’s gospel, the calling of the disciples in the Sea of Galilee, my mind is filled with many memories and experiences. I first heard of that gospel as a child in my home parish. The story seemed so long ago. I could picture it in my mind. Even as a child, I wondered at their trust in following Jesus. Even then, it was a surprise, a shock. It all seemed pretty sudden.

Then later, as a high school student, I had the opportunity to study the Scriptures. I had an excellent religion teacher, a priest called Father Jerry McCrory. Sadly, Gerry just passed away recently, and when I think of him, I think of him studying this very gospel passage with us. Gerry had a unique ability to make us aware that the words of the gospels and the words of Christ weren’t just a voice speaking in the past but speaking to us in the present. Every time we would read or hear Jesus calling the disciples. We should hear him speaking directly to us and calling us.

Reading this gospel, the calling of the disciples, made me wonder if God was calling me too. I couldn’t ignore that he was calling me and all of us to service. And I asked him in my heart, how can I serve you best? The answer that came to me came with a price. I thought the best way I could serve him was as a priest. I was blessed in my home parish with wonderful priests. They were intelligent and funny, and kind. My own uncle was a priest, and I knew his dedication and sincerity.

If Father Gerry had not been such an excellent teacher, so engaging and challenging, my own vocation would probably never have taken root. (You have a lot to answer for Gerry!) As we read or listen to this gospel today, Jesus calls you to a service. Of course, he’s not calling everyone to be a priest. But he calls everyone to look deep into our hearts and ask ourselves how we might serve him.

We don’t serve him because we are better than others. We don’t serve because we are worthy. Indeed, all the scriptures talk about the servants of God being aware of their sinfulness and God’s profound love.

We don’t follow God because we necessarily want to. We answer the call because it burns deep in our hearts. The one who is all loving and all merciful has a magnetic draw. We are drawn to the flame of perfect love. Once touched by it, we are consumed by it. We will always be unworthy. We will always be sinners struggling for conversion, but our loving God will always walk alongside us and call us to follow.

With Love and Blessings,

Fr Damian

This talk by Bishop Barron was targeted at Seminarians but it resonates with anyone called in some way to serve Jesus.