Just how difficult was it for the disciples to cast their nets for a catch? Commercial fishing isn't an easy thing. I've seen the reality shows, watched Forest Gump try shrimping, even tried charter fishing for salmon on Lake Michigan. Its difficult work. Jesus seemed to be on to something by calling these fishermen to do the work of spreading the Good News of God's love. He didn't, for instance, really depend upon affluent folks who had an easy life-style. He knew that those who were going to do the work of the Gospel needed to be workers.
Today there is a lot of talk about the New Evangelization. There's the talk of the launch of the New Evangelization and how important it is for the vitality of the Church. There is really something to be said about how much work this is going to be. No priest really ever wants more of a workload put on them. When I was in seminary and you were asked to help with something, the rector told you to always say, "Yes." There was a reason he told us that. Maybe because he know us guys didn't want to work any harder than necessary. I think that's called the status-quo. In the spiritual life, we call it sloth, acedia, spiritual apathy or in lay terms laziness.
Casting your nets over and over again, day after day has got to be really exhausting. Making the nets, mending the nets, hauling them in with fish over the side of the boat rain or shine every day. Ugggg. Thank God he didn't call me to this vocation....o wait maybe He did...o ya, the priesthood.
Then I got to thinking about the particular apostolate I am working right now. There are innumerable expedition retreats being put on for youth and young adults every year and it too is difficult work. It is so easy to avoid the work, to "delegate" it to others and abrogate my priestly responsibilities. For me, the net seems to be driving our bus and car up and down highway 42/57 4 times a week for a combined 410 miles a week. I suppose the bus is a "net" that is used to gather souls. It allows us to bring countless youth to Christ in the Eucharist. Having my commercial drivers license has been a blessing and a curse. While some can sign different initials after their names, I can by golly sign C.D.L! Hauling souls up to retreat makes it accessible for young people to actually make retreat. The fact that we have 15 high school students on a retreat on the second weekend of a school year is quit remarkable. That is 15 students who want to be on retreat.
So I'll gladly continue to cast this net out, over and over again. It may not be the same type of net the disciples used to bring souls to Christ, but in today's world it may be a modern net. One thing is for certain, the hard work has not changed. We could all benefit doing the work of the New Evangelization and realize that there is no way to diminish the cost it has on us. Instead of the cerebral and theorized babble of the New Evangelization, that is, just talking about it, we learn that doing it is a whole other ball game.
No comments:
Post a Comment