SENT ON A MISSION
My brother retired
from the Navy after serving for twenty-two years. He shared a story with me
that I remembered during my reflection time, today. He knew a young man who had
graduated from the Officer's Candidate School in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As a private, he was assigned to the kitchen.
They were up to their necks in work when a commander dropped in and asked,
"How are things going?"
When they told him it was really rough, the
commander pulled on a work suit and pitched in to help. He showed them that
even a commander was not too high and mighty to help in the kitchen. Naturally,
the men loved a leader like that.
Today, we read that Jesus comes to the
help of several of the Apostles. They make their living by the rough and
exhausting labor of fishing. But, at this time, they aren't catching anything.
Jesus tells them to cast their nets out once again. Miraculously, they catch so
many fish that their two boats begin to sink. It's through the metaphor of
catching fish that Jesus shows them that they are being called to catch men.
But, there is another important lesson in this story. We see that Jesus is
interested in the work of His followers - us! He is ready and willing to help
everyone who works hard, both physically and mentally!
Jesus, Himself, worked hard. As a
carpenter, He knew how it felt to be tired, hungry, and thirsty. He knew what
it meant to get dusty and dirty. He was well aware of how it felt to be
discouraged and concerned about making a living. This is one reason why He was
so interested in the working people - farmers, carpenters, fishermen,
shepherds, workers in the vineyard. He knew their life; He lived their life.
Jesus is interested in those who labor with muscle, sweat, and on the front
lines in life.
In today's world, many of us work with
our brains more than our brawn. That, too, is tiring and taxing. One can get
weary behind a computer, at a machine, or at a teacher's desk. Doctors, nurses,
and lawyers can be exhausted in mind and body. Jesus also knows how hard this kind
of work is because He, too, did much of it. He wore many hats you could
say!
What St. Paul boasts about in today's
second reading, Christ could also say of Himself, "I have worked harder
than all the others" (1 Cor 15:10). In the words of our Responsorial
Psalm, we boldly acclaim, "When I called, You answered me; You built up
strength within me" (Ps 138:3).
Like the commander in my brother's
story, Jesus stoops down to help us. May the Master inspire us to do our work
with Him and for Him!