Posted by Above the sound of the sea lapping against the shore, his words came clear to the brothers Simon and Andrew first, then to the brothers James and John next: “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Marc 1,17) And wonder of wonders, they followed Jesus of Nazareth, leaving their nets and their boats and their loved ones behind! They followed him, as if drawn by some irresistible force.
“Fishers of men.” From the time he was strong enough to row a boat and cast a net, each of these young men was already catching fish as a means of livelihood; each was a fisherman. Now to be a fisher of men? How? What is the meaning?
The meaning must have been brought home to them only gradually, step by step as they followed Jesus. And step by step, they must have come to realize what a gift Jesus of Nazareth was giving them by calling them to follow him and become fishers of men.
In effect, on that blessed day on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus was drawing their attention to a horizon much, much broader than that of their own sea and sky, boat and nets, and fish.
In effect, Jesus was telling them as he is telling us now, to come and help him build his Kingdom. This Kingdom is now at hand. To start in that direction, let us repent and spread the gospel.
