In his book, And Now I See: A Theology of Transformation, Father Robert Barron says, “Jesus nowhere in the gospels urges his followers to worship him, though he insistently calls them to follow him.” The readings this Sunday issue urgent challenges to make God’s will primary in our lives.

Many in the congregation may have a too-limited view of calling. They may not see the connection between their life, their family, their friends, their work and the invitation issued by Jesus to Peter and Andrew, “Come, follow me.”

I’m not going to pretend that I know a thing about fishing. But I do know a thing or two about casting nets and being caught in them. And isn’t being caught how each of us discovers our vocation?

Many of us experienced being overwhelmed in school by the number of papers we had to write, tests we needed to study for, and books we needed to read.

A common reaction after hearing the story of the first disciples—fishermen who are told to come follow Christ and become fishers of men—is to try to imagine ourselves in a similar situation. There we are on the job, and Jesus walks up and tells us to drop what we’re doing and come follow him. Could we do it?

I used to feel guilty I wasn’t like the first apostles, ready to drop everything and run after Jesus. I know how many attachments I tend to hang onto, even when I think I’m “letting go and letting God.”

Let us place ourselves in the mercy of God as we offer these our prayers.

The process of conversion is not simple or convenient, but it is necessary for Christian discipleship.

God’s will is to save us, and nothing pleases God more than our coming back to God with true repentance. —Maximus the Confessor (c. 580-662)