“And immediately they left their nets and followed Him.” (Mark 1:18).
I effectively have three teenage children. Yes, it is true that my youngest child is not quite a teenager, but with two teenage brothers, my pre-teen daughter certainly acts like a teenager. Now, the main thing to remember about teenagers is that they like to flex their muscles – so to speak. That means that they like to try things out. For example, they might be a little slower to respond when asked to do something. They might be a little less quick on their feet when there is work to be done. This is of course, not the case every single time, but it certainly is the case in many instances.
I have been thinking about my teenage children as I have been thinking about the Scripture.
You see, when Christ called the apostles, they were not slowly dragging their feet. They did not test things out – so to speak and gte up in a minute when they felt like it. The jumped up immediately…
“Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel.’ And passing along by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed Him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zeb′edee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them; and they left their father Zeb′edee in the boat with the hired servants, and followed him.” (Mark 1:14–20).
They just jumped up and got moving. Why? Because God called them NOW. Not for next week or next year or another time. He called them right now. And they were not great leaders or men of power. They were uneducated craftsmen and fishermen (for the most part) and still God called them and still they came immediately…
In 1935, Blessed Alvaro del Portillo met St Josemaria. After their recollection day, he asked to join Opus Dei. He remained a member of Opus Dei and a holy priest, all his life. And he did this because he knew that God needed to make use of him NOW. Not tomorrow or next week or next year or after some more thought. He received a calling from his Beloved and he moved – now.
And today, as I continue to negotiate with my teenage children, it occurs to me that I must really learn to act now – right now – just so that I will be able to do as my Father commands. Because if I wait even a moment, I might have missed my chance, which was offered to me right NOW…
For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.
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