Why the Fishermen had to leave their nets

Gospel Thoughts

Advent Season : 1st Week :  Monday

GOSPEL Mt 4:18-22

First Reading - Rom 10:9-18

Feast of St Andrew

*Why the Fishermen had to leave their nets*

*1) They Left their boats and Nets*

When Jesus called these first disciples, Peter and Andrew, John and James, they left their boats and nets and followed Jesus

Why did they leave these things? 

Was it necessary to leave these things?

Is there any other or deeper meaning for this gesture of the disciples? 

*2) First of all Net collects everything*

Usually net is used to collect the Fish from the sea. 

It collects everything when it is cast out into the sea

It is the nature of the net to Collect everything rather than giving everything. 

There is net which leaves out or gives to others when it is cast out into the deep sea. 

*3) Christian Spirituality does not consists in acquiring but in giving* 

Net collects everything, it does not give or leave out anything. 

Collecting everything is the symbol of excess desire for greed, selfishness and self centeredness. So the nature of net does not go along with Christian spirituality. 

Christian spirituality does not consisting in collecting and amassing the wealth and things. It consists in giving and in generosity

*4) Net is an instrument to trap the Fish*

Net is like a trap which is used to catch the fish. 

The fish is simply trapped into the net. 

Leaving out the net by the disciples is the symbol that the disciples not to use any of the things which work as a trap. 

The moment something is used as a trap we put other person into difficulty. So we need to give up those things which work as a trap 

*5) Net is the Symbol of Death and not the symbol of Life*

Any fish which is trapped into the net, finally  dies. 

Death is the final destiny of the net. 

So with such kind of net, a disciple can not work and should work. 

*6) Net is deceptive / not visible*

When the net is cast out into the sea, it can not be seen. It is invisible

So the net works as a deceptive instrument, which finally deceives the fish and fish is in the trouble. 

A follower of Christ, can not carry the net, which works as a deceptive or invisible instrument

*7) Which are the things working as net in my life? 

Net collects, deceives, traps, and  takes away life. So also there are many things in life which work as the above mentioned things. Some of them may be following

Pride, Power, Money, Wordly Pleasures, arrogance, revenge, falsehood, cheating, selfish motives, and so on

Do these things work as a net in my life?

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*