Jesus Recruits: Fishers of Men

Beads of Joy 11-30-09

Jesus Recruits: Fishers of Men
©2009 James Dacey, Jr. SFO

Hello Everyone,

What an absolutely glorious day today is to love and adore Jesus. Today's gospel is: Matthew 4:18-22 (The Calling of the First Disciples). This reading makes us think about God's call in our own lives. And when we think of that, I wonder, what would be our response? Would we be like the apostles who immediately "laid down their nets" and followed Him. Honestly can all of us do that; lay down our own nets??. Or is there something in our lives that has a strong enough hold on us? That is something to really think about: Are we like the disciples who so willingly gave up everything in order to follow Jesus? I like to think so...

I wonder what kind of disciples Jesus was looking for anyway? I guess we could look at those He already chose and get some idea from that. When we do that, do you know what we find? Jesus chose the most ordinary people who basically had no fame or fortune in society. The disciples that got chosen to follow our Lord were just regular everyday working people who had nothing to offer to Jesus to help Him expand His Ministry. But one thing Jesus knew was that these disciples would listen to Him, and follow Him. What many people don't realize is that God has the power to use everyone of us in the capacity He so desires, no matter what our gifts are or aren't. God knows us way better than we could ever know ourselves. Trusting in His choices and direction in our lives is the first step we must take, and we'll take that journey together with Him.

Now let's take a good look at our own lives. Are we doing all we can to live our lives so that when people see us, they see Jesus. When I say that, I am saying: do our words hurt others or do they love others? do our hands hold to hurt others or do they hold to love others? do our feet trample to hurt others or do they rush to help others? do our actions speak volumes of anger towards others or do they shout joy loving others through Jesus? Who are we in this wonderful life God has given us? We must be the one who lives a life where Jesus is working through us to do His will.

Today I challenge everyone, including myself. Let's try to go out of our way initially to help, to love, to care, and to do the will of God in our lives by acting like Jesus would if He was personally there. Take it to the next level if you already do that, don't be sacred to step outside the box. We won't need to wear a shirt saying "I love Jesus, and I am doing His will." Instead our actions will show that the love inside us is overflowing from our lives and being shared with those whose lives we touch. God will take it from there in the lives of those we touch. Our extraordinary kindness alone will touch others. I pray that everyone who reads this has an over-abundant, overflowing, incredibly huge amount of joy jammed packed in their hearts for Jesus; and all you want to do is share that with others. All I can say is that feeling is absolutely exciting, and my life has never been the same.

Pray for Jesus to overflow you with joy, a never ending amount.

Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO