The next morning, John and Andrew got ready to go back to their homes.
“Thank you for your kind hospitality,” John gratefully bowed to Mary.
“You are welcome here anytime,” Mary smiled.
“Jesus, we would like to come back again and stay with you as your disciples,” Andrew informed.
Jesus was silent for a while and then spoke, “For now, you both go back home. Think over it again. Being my disciple is not going to be easy. You will have to give up a lot, and there will be challenges and difficult times.”
“We are ready for whatever it takes because we believe you are a man of God,” John affirmed.
“Go home now. Let me pray over it,” Jesus said.
Andrew and John bid farewell and walked back to their homes. Jesus’ gaze followed them until they disappeared down the lane.
Mary spoke, “They are fine young men, fitting to be your disciples.”
Jesus nodded, “Yes they are….and through them, I’m going to get to the others.”
That evening, as John sat with his father Zebedee, mother Salome, and elder brother James for dinner, he related his experiences at Nazareth with so much enthusiasm that they could see this ‘Jesus’ had made a great impact on him.
“We asked him if we could be his disciples. Jesus said he would pray over it and let us know,” John said, looking eagerly at their faces for reactions.
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James took a bite of his bread and chuckled, “First you hail the Baptist as the best prophet ever, and now you are going after another!”
“The Baptist led us to him!” John clarified. “The Baptist has always said that he is not the ‘The One’ and that he would show him to us someday. He did, and we believe him.”
“Why do you go after all these prophets?” an agitated Zebedee asked. “Why don’t you just be a fisherman, do your job, and raise a family? These prophets always get themselves into trouble.”
Salome agreed with her husband. “The Baptist is already in trouble. King Herod is annoyed with him for publicly condemning his relationship with Herodias, his brother’s wife. The rumor is that Herod will soon have the Baptist put in jail, and maybe even killed!”
“The Baptist speaks the truth!” John stated firmly.
“Maybe, but if it puts your life at risk, it’s better to be quiet about it!” Zebedee raised his voice, sounding furious.
John looked at his father. Zebedee understood the implication of that look.
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He calmed down and said, “John, I am an old man. James and you are my two sons, and I love you both dearly. I wish you would lead normal lives, stay with me and be fishermen like me. I want you both to be near me when I lay on my deathbed. Is that too much to ask for?”
Zebedee then got up and left the table, for he had made his point and didn’t want to continue the conversation.
John looked at Salome and James, raised a brow, and repeated, “Normal lives?”
Salome explained. “Your father is saying this for your own good. You are an impulsive young boy who hasn’t seen much of life yet. Your father knows better. Listen to him, John.”
Salome rose, took the dishes, and went into the kitchen.
John glanced at James. “Well, what do you say, brother?”
James shook his head and said, “I would stick with what our parents have to say. This prophet business is risky.”
“But I feel I am called to it. I want to follow my heart,”
John said earnestly.
James lovingly wrapped his arm around his younger brother. “John, you are too young to make such a big decision. For now, I think you should stay with us.”
John became silent and sighed. He realized his family would never let him go with Jesus. “I wonder how things are going on at Andrew’s home,” thought John.
In fact, Andrew was going through quite a tough time too, pacifying his big brother Simon.
“You just disappear whenever you want and leave us worried!” Simon scolded him.
“I had no time to stop and inform you. We were following the prophet!” Andrew defended.
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“Following the prophet! Enough of these prophets and prophecies! You are not going anywhere again! Stay here and be a fisherman. Understand?” Simon sternly stated.
Simon’s wife, Dalia, entered the room and informed the brothers, “Come for dinner. Mother is waiting for you.”
As Simon and Andrew sat down for dinner, Dalia served hot, steaming soup into their bowls.
Simon’s mother-in-law gazed at the sulking brothers silently sipping at their soup and figured they just had an argument. She also knew what the issue was all about, for Andrew had told her about it too. She spoke to Simon, saying
“You should give your brother the freedom to decide what he wants to do with his life.”
Simon looked up at her, his face reflecting displeasure at the comment.
“Andrew is grown up now. You shouldn’t try to control him,” she continued, despite the glare.
“It is between me and him,” Simon said.
Dalia signaled her mother to be quiet.
Simon turned to Andrew and firmly ordered, “Tomorrow early morning, we are going fishing!”
Andrew nodded hesitatingly.
The next day, early in the morning, the fishermen got themselves ready to venture out into the sea. As Simon and Andrew were getting their boat ready, Zebedee came along with his sons James and John.
John waved at Andrew. Andrew went towards him.
“Did you tell your family about Jesus?” Andrew enquired.
“I did tell them, but they didn’t agree to let me go with him,” John replied sadly. “How did it go for you, Andrew?”
“Same here. Simon is totally against my going.”
Simon called out, “Andrew, come on!”
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Andrew took leave of John and went to join Simon. The two brothers pushed their boat out into the sea and climbed onto it.
Zebedee and his sons got their boat ready too and sailed it over the waves.
For a long time, the men in the two boats waited for a haul, but nothing happened.
“What has gone wrong today? Why haven’t we been able to catch any fish?” James asked his father.
Zebedee sighed, “The sea is sometimes this way. It teaches us patience.”
“I’m running out of it,” John sulked.
Andrew looked at Simon as his brother lifted the net from the water. The net was empty.
“Maybe we should go back, Simon, and try again tomorrow,” Andrew suggested.
Simon shook his head. “We’ve spent so much time here, it should be worth something. I’m not going back till I get a catch,” Simon declared.
Andrew sighed. He knew it was no use arguing with his big brother. Andrew looked across to see how his friends in the other boat were faring. Zebedee and his sons seemed to have given up, for they were rowing their boat toward the shore.
“Aren’t you coming, Simon?” Zebedee asked as their boats came close.
“We’ll come once we get a haul,” Simon replied.
Zebedee shook his head, “The sea shows no signs of it.
You know that, Simon. Waste no more time. We shall try again tomorrow.”
Simon relented to Zebedee’s words and picked the oar.
“Let’s row to the shore,” he directed Andrew. Andrew 22
heaved in relief and took his oar. As they neared land, the men noticed an unusually large crowd seated by the seashore.
“What is happening there?” Zebedee peered curiously from his boat.
“It looks like a meeting,” John presumed.
“It’s a preacher,” James observed as he caught sight of a tall man in a white robe standing in the center of the crowd.
John sensed something familiar about the man…. Jesus!
“Hey Andrew!” he called out from his boat. “Andrew!” he shouted again over the splashing waves.
Andrew turned to him. John pointed to the shore with his eyes. Andrew looked, and his lips curled into a faint smile.
Once the two boats reached the shore, the fishermen alighted and pulled out their nets to wash them. As they were washing the nets, Jesus came towards them. They were so absorbed in their work, they didn’t notice him until he spoke to Simon. “Could you please offer me your boat so I can preach to the people from it? The crowd is getting bigger. ”
Simon looked around at the crowd. It was getting bigger.
“I don’t give my boat to preachers,” Simon hesitated.
Andrew intervened, “But Simon, we can put it to some good use today. I don’t mind taking the boat out for him.”
Simon looked at his brother sternly and spoke sharply,
“You stay here.” He turned to Jesus and asked “Will you pay?”
Andrew objected, “Simon, we don’t take payments from the messengers of God!”
Simon gave another stern glance that silenced Andrew, though his face showed disapproval.
“I don’t have any money with me right now, but I will give you something in return,” Jesus assured.
“Fine. You may get in the boat,” Simon consented.
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Jesus and Simon climbed onto the boat and Simon rowed it to a little distance away from the shore so that all the people could see and hear Jesus clearly.
Jesus preached, “God the Father has created each human being with great love and a grand plan for their life. Wherever you are, in whatever situation you find yourself, there is something God wants to do through you, something for which He has placed you there. But often, we fail to see it or try to understand it. Instead, we fall into the mundane routine of daily life, making our lives monotonous and uninspiring, merely attempting to earn our daily bread. We don't open ourselves to the message that God is trying to communicate to us. I assure you all, the day you open your hearts and incline your ears to that plan, the direction the Lord desires to lead you in, that will be the day your life will radically change.
A new vision will evolve, and you will find meaning in the tasks of daily life from a new perspective that God blesses you with. It will motivate you to break free from your selfish shells and reach out to others in love and mercy. There, you will find true joy and experience your life as a life 'worth living.' Be assured of this!"
The crowds intently listened to the words of Jesus that touched their hearts. After his sermon, as the people dispersed, discussing among them the inspirations they had received, Jesus turned to Simon. “And now, as I promised you something in return…Simon, let’s take the boat deeper one more time.”
“What are you going to do?” asked Simon.
“You’ll see. For now, just trust me,” Jesus assured. “Let’s go deeper into the sea.”
Simon obeyed and rowed into the deep waters. When they reached a spot, Jesus spoke, “Stop here and lower your net.”
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Simon was puzzled. “What do you intend to do?”
“Wait and see,” Jesus replied.
Simon didn’t relent, so Jesus persisted, “Trust me. Lower your net, Simon.”
Simon hesitated for a moment, but there was something about Jesus he couldn’t resist. So he took out the spare net on the boat and lowered it as Jesus had directed.
Simon said, “I’ve been acquainted with this sea for over twenty years. I know when I look at the sea if there is hope for a haul or not. Since today morning, the sea has been barren.”
Jesus smiled and stated, “But sometimes there is more beneath the surface than what you see over the waves.”
“The sea has never lied to me,” Simon affirmed.
“Maybe it has just today,” Jesus smiled.
Simon suddenly felt a strong tug at his net. He was surprised. He pulled at it and the tug felt stronger.
Simon gazed at Jesus in wonder. Jesus grabbed the net and tried to help Simon lift it. But it was so heavy that even the two of them together couldn’t pull it up. Simon called out loud to the others on shore, “Hey James! John! Get your boat over here!” Zebedee and his sons, who were on the shore mending their nets, heard the call. Andrew joined them as they climbed on their boat and rowed it towards Simon and Jesus.
“This is amazing!” James exclaimed as the men together pulled up the net and emptied its contents into the two boats.
“How could this be?” Zebedee stared in disbelief. “The sea was barren. I am so sure of it!”
“Father, I told you about the miracle at Cana, didn’t I?
About the prophet who turned water into wine. He is the one…Jesus!” John revealed delightedly.
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Zebedee looked at Jesus. Tears welled in his eyes. He didn’t know why.
Once they reached the shore, people rushed to the fish-laden boats to buy the fresh catch.
Jesus spoke to Simon, “Thank you. I hope you are happy.”
Simon fell to his knees in tears. “I’m sorry for treating you with disrespect. I’m a weak and sinful man. I don’t deserve a man as holy as you anywhere near me. Please go away from me. I’m just a poor, hopeless fisherman!”
But Jesus did not go away. Instead, Jesus came closer, placed his hand firmly on Simon’s shoulder, and looked into his eyes with kindness.
“Simon, from now on, you all will be ‘fishers of men.’”
Saying these words, Jesus turned and walked away.
That evening, after selling all the fish, as Zebedee and his sons returned home, their topic of discussion was the
‘miracle’ catch of the day.
“Jesus is an amazing man. He makes the impossible, possible. There has never been anyone like him before!” John admired.
Zebedee nodded and said, “Yes, there is something different about him I haven’t seen in any other person who has claimed to be a prophet. His very presence has power and his eyes shine so bright.”
John was happy that his father was impressed with Jesus.
“Jesus told us that his Mission on earth was to preach about the love of the Father and the eternal kingdom of Heaven.
He said that through his life he would bear testimony to God’s love. He also mentioned that he would need disciples to help him out.” John glanced expectantly at his father again.
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Zebedee understood what John was getting at. He changed the subject. “I’m hungry already. Wonder what your mother has made for dinner.”
Salome watched on as her husband and sons ate their dinner. Zebedee and John seemed famished after the day’s work, but James wasn’t his usual self. He seemed quite lost in deep thought and wasn’t talking much.
“What is with you, son?” she asked him.
James looked up and said, “Nothing, mother. I just don’t feel so good.”
Salome placed her hand on his forehead. “Are you running a fever?”
“No, I’m alright. I think I’m just too tired. I’ll be better after a night’s rest.” James got up and left for his room. But try as he might, James couldn’t sleep a wink that night. His mind was disturbed. It replayed the events of the day- the early hours of hard work that seemed futile, the entry of Jesus, and then the sudden turn of events that amazed them all. As they had brought the two fish-laden boats to shore and Jesus got down from it, James had teasingly stated, “On the shore, you gathered a crowd of people around you, and in the sea, you gathered a crowd of fish around you.”
Jesus smiled back and responded, “Now I’m out to gather a crowd of disciples. Would you like to join me, James?”
James’ smile faded. He hadn’t expected such a question from Jesus, and he didn’t know what to reply.
Jesus smiled, “Think about it,” gave him a friendly pat on his shoulder, and left.
Ever since that moment, James felt disturbed. Following a prophet had never been on his agenda. He had always just wanted to be a fisherman like his father. It was his younger brother John who held a fascination for prophets and had the 27
yearning in his heart to do something for God. And yet, when Jesus placed the invitation before him, James couldn’t say
‘No’….but he didn’t dare to say ‘Yes’ either. He was going through an inner struggle that he himself couldn’t understand and which he was afraid of sharing with anyone else, either.
***
That night, Simon was filled with distress as he sat on his boat by the seashore, gazing at the distant stars in the dark and gloomy night sky.Andrew approached him, drawing near to the boat. “What are you still doing here so late?” Andrew asked. “Dalia sent me for you.”
Simon remained still and silent. Andrew climbed into the boat and sat next to him. “What is bothering you, brother?”
Simon lowered his head and let out a sigh. "You might think I'm crazy if I told you.
“That’s nothing new. I always think you are crazy,”
Andrew joked.
Simon smiled. “But I’ve never been so crazy before. I’ve always thought you were stupid to go after prophets who do nothing but blabber all day and fool people in every way. But today….” Simon became silent.
“Are you talking about Jesus?” Andrew enquired.
Simon nodded. “There is something about him that disturbs me. His words seem to have pierced into my soul and give me no rest.”
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“What is it you feel he is telling you?” Andrew asked, casting a concerned glance at his brother. Simon met Andrew's gaze, unsure of how to respond. Shaking his head, Simon replied, "Let's go back home.” The brothers climbed out of the boat and headed towards their home in the moonlight.
The next day morning, as usual, the fishermen set out for fishing. After their labor, they began mending the nets when Jesus happened to pass by once more. All heads turned towards him, and Jesus greeted them with a smile, making his way towards the boat where Zebedee sat with his sons. Jesus spoke to Zebedee, “I am beginning my mission and I need men who can be molded to be men of God. Will you give me your sons to work in the vineyard of the Lord?”
Zebedee's mouth dropped open, and tears welled up in his eyes. He looked down for a moment, lost in deep contemplation, and then, as if a sudden clarity washed over him, he lifted his gaze towards Jesus and uttered, "Let them make the decision." Jesus looked at James and John and invited them, “Follow me.”
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John gently set the fishing net aside and rose to his feet.
“Father, bless me,” he requested and knelt before Zebedee.
Zebedee placed both hands on his son's head, offering a heartfelt blessing. With the blessing bestowed, John stepped out of the boat and stood by Jesus's side. Jesus then looked at James. “And you, James?”
James cast an anxious glance at Zebedee, who intentionally avoided making eye contact. Zebedee desired his sons to make their own decisions. James rose from his seat, carefully placing his net aside, and knelt before his father. "Father, bless me as well," James softly requested. Zebedee's hands trembled, overwhelmed by emotion. Tears freely flowed from his moist eyes, unable to be contained. Despite this, he bestowed his heartfelt blessing upon James. “God be with you, my son. Be loyal to the path you have chosen.” James too climbed out of the boat and stood next to Jesus.
Jesus went near Zebedee and placed his hand on Zebedee’s shoulder. “I know it breaks your heart to give away both your sons. But the sacrifice will be rewarded. These two sons of yours will be remembered by generations throughout the world and your name too shall be written in the Book of the Lord.”
Through tears, Zebedee uttered, “Yahweh gave me these sons. Let Him take them away if He wants to use them to glorify His name.”
Jesus blessed Zebedee.
Next, he headed towards the boat Simon and Andrew were in. Andrew’s face lit up because he knew Jesus was going to call him too, but he was worried about what Simon would say. Jesus looked at the two brothers and said, “Follow me.”
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Andrew put aside his net and stood up. “Brother,” he called Simon. Simon looked up at Andrew. His eyes were moist. “You may go, Andrew, if that is what you want.”
Andrew stepped out of the boat.
Jesus looked on at Simon. “I’m calling you too, Simon.
Follow me.” Simon shook his head in refusal. “I’m just a poor fisherman. I don’t know to preach and I’m not as strong as you think.”
Jesus spoke firmly, “I am not looking at what you are today, but what you can be when you are with me. I will make you as strong as a rock.”
Jesus turned and started walking, with James, John, and Andrew following closely behind. Simon observed them intently, contemplating their actions. Eventually, unable to resist the stirring within his own heart, he set aside his net, climbed out of the boat, and made the decision to follow them.
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