In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, One God, Amen.

We often feel lost, dear brothers and sisters: we see the faith of others and we feel inadequate and alone.  We ask ourselves “why can’t I have faith as that other person?” and we become distraught.

Today the Lord calls Peter and Andrew and the effect is instant,

“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

Matthew 4:19–20

“I want a calling like that!” I tell myself, “If the Lord spoke directly to me I would have great faith.”  How much is this a fantasy?  How much do we assume others have an easier life of faith and only I struggle?  We look at others in Church and think they have it all together, they’re all equipped: only I must deal with doubt.

We are blessed, in this instance, to have a little of the background.  Peter and Andrew were disciples of the prophet John the Forerunner.  We are not told for how long they were with him but they had already heard and accepted the Gospel message, “Repent!”  And in their repentance they had encountered the Lord, as told to us in John’s Gospel.

Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples.  And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!”  The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.  Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?”  They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?”  He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour).

John 1:35–9

One of these two was Andrew who then brought Peter to Christ.  So there was much more in today’s Gospel than there seems at first glance.

My dear brothers and sisters, we do not know all the background of our fellow Christians, what’s going well and what less so.  We all have difficulties and challenges—we all have sin against which we should be waging war.  Do not assume that others are not facing what you face.  Be kind: encourage them, thank them and above all pray for them that when they hear the call from God “Follow me,” they, too, may immediately leave what they are working at and come to the Lord.

That we may each come to hear the call of the Lord and respond with love and eagerness towards him, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and express the love of God in our world.  Amen.