Mark 1: 14-20
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”
As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him.
As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, 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.
Following, Unprepared
I like to be prepared. Even a simple night out starts with reconnaissance: What’s the dress code? What does the restaurant look like? Is parking a nightmare? What’s on the menu? I need to know what I’m getting myself into before I commit to anything.
That is not how things work in today’s Gospel. Jesus walks by the Sea of Galilee and offers no details, no timeline, no elevator pitch, no strategic plan. There’s no time for planning or research, no clarifying questions, no back-and-forth. Just a simple invitation: “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” And they go. Nets dropped. Boats left. From fishermen to “fishers of men,” their work will be reshaped and transformed for the sake of others. They’re given little certainty, yet they respond freely, anyway. This Gospel challenges our need to know what we’re getting into before we make a commitment. It shows us that discernment isn’t always about gathering more information, but about recognizing when an invitation aligns with the deepest desires of our hearts. Today, consider what Jesus might be inviting you to begin before you feel ready.
—Jackie Schulte is the Interim Head of School and Dean of Faculty Formation at Creighton Preparatory School in Omaha, Nebraska.
Prayer
Jesus,
you call us without explanations or guarantees.
Teach us to trust your presence more than our plans.
Give us the courage to set aside our need for answers
and follow you with faith and generosity.
Amen
—Jackie Schulte
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