From the responsorial psalm: "The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul; The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just."
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 4:18-22)
As Jesus 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.
After calling Simon and Andrew, Jesus walks along the shore and calls James and John to follow him. Simon and Andrew are casting a net into the sea, and James and John are mending their nets. From his walk along the shore, Jesus calls four fisherman who would become the first apostles. In the first reading, Saint Paul also describes the consequences of responding to the call of the Lord. If we are called, we are sent so that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." In choosing the apostles, Jesus exercises childlike faith in the Father's plan, and we glimpse the beauty and simplicity of the mind of Jesus as he carries out his will. Men who cast nets to catch fish would be good at catching souls to be brought into his Father's kingdom. Men who mend nets would make good stewards of the faith, loyal and persevering in times of adversity. The Gospel acclamation speaks to all of us in the voice of Jesus: "Come after me, says the Lord, and I will make you fishers of men."
Father in heaven, strengthen my faith today; help me hear and respond to your call. To be saved is to be sent out and made fishers of men. As Saint Paul says, it is to confess that Jesus is Lord and to believe in my heart that you raised him from the dead. The risen Christ, alive in the word, in the Eucharist, and in the sacraments of the Church accomplishes your will as he calls me to respond immediately and follow him. As I look to you with childlike faith, make clear to me what skills and talents I have to bring the words of Christ to one person at a time so that everyone who hears would believe in the Gospel and call on your name. Saint Andrew, pray for us!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
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