Come after Me

Matthew’s account of the call of the first disciples helps us understand the relationships of Peter, Andrew, James and John, and the new relationship that they entered with Jesus Christ. First, their relationship was fraternal - they were two sets of brothers. Second, their relationship was occupational. As was the case with most fathers and sons in the past, they were engaged in a common trade: in this case, as fishermen in the Sea of Galilee. Luke reveals to us the exact nature of their occupational relationship in his account of the call of the first disciples (Lk 5:7 & 9). We learn that these four men were “partners”. They were of the same mind and the same purpose to make a living through their fishing partnership. Luke used the Greek word “koinonia”, to describe this business partnership - the first time this word was used in scripture. Later on, Luke describes the life of the first Christian community after the Pentecost as “koinonia” (Acts 2:42). This time, “koinonia” conveyed a more profound sense- no longer referring to a business partnership, but rather to the “communion” of the first Christians after the Pentecost.

As a result of their common assent to Jesus’ call, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men,” these four men entered a new, mystical relationship among themselves and with Christ- the first stage of the “koinonia” referred to in Acts 2. This time, their fishing ground was not the Sea of Galilee but the ocean of mankind. They went out not in their tiny boats but in the ship of the Church (Ratzinger). They did not need nets but the gospel for their catch. And their catch was not fish but men, not for themselves but for Christ. The business was no longer theirs but the Father’s business. They were no longer to be guided by mere human wisdom, but God’s, for their work is God’s work. Pope Benedict XVI describes this new “koinonia” in this way: we have become “the communion of the Lord Himself, who grants what we could never have achieved by our own resources.” What was granted? We are one family, one body with Him. We are one with God. “Whoever is joined to Christ becomes one spirit with Him” (1 Cor 6:17).

Why then do we see dissension and conflict among Christians? Why do divisions arise? Is it because of our broken nature, which tends to weaken the exercise of our freedom, that at times, we give preference to self-centered rather than God-centered reasons? “For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want” Rm 7:19.

The report of rivalries in Corinth prompted Paul to write his letter to the brethren. He urged the Corinthians to use their freedom not for division, but for unity. He called their attention to their rivalries, their factions. “I belong to Paul…I belong to Apollos…I belong to Cephas…I belong to Christ. Is Christ divided?” Here, Paul calls out the root cause for the dissension in Corinth: they have lost their focus on Jesus. They have placed their loyalties on men, not Jesus. He reminded them that Christ is their only leader and savior. Using himself as an example, Paul reiterated that he was sent by Christ, clearly showing his and every Christian’s right relationship to Christ. Christ is the sender, the Lord and the Master. We are the sent, the servants and the disciples. Then, Paul explained why he was chosen: “to preach the gospel…not with the wisdom of human eloquence.” What was Paul to rely on? “the cross of Christ, so that it might not be emptied of its meaning.” In other words, our life and ministry, our “koinonia”, must be about Jesus.

Two millennia later, Vatican II echoed Paul’s exhortation: “Genuine freedom is an outstanding manifestation of the divine image in man. For God willed man ‘in the power of his own counsel’ (Sir 15:14) so that he would seek his Creator of his own accord and freely arrive at full and blessed perfection by cleaving to God.” (Gaudium et Spes). Let’s repeat that last part: we can arrive at full and blessed perfection by cleaving to God. To cleave is to adhere to or stick to firmly, closely, loyally, unwaveringly! Cleave to Jesus, remain one with Him!

What does cleaving to Jesus mean? When conflicts and chaos do arise, it should not be an occasion to hopeless despair, such that we should raise our hands in surrender, or to wage a belligerent struggle, or to fall to schism or to flee from community. Rather, it should be an opportunity for each of us to prayerfully reflect on the underlying reasons for our conflict and to repent for what we may have contributed to it. It should be an opportunity for us to seek Jesus Christ and what His law of love impels us to do- which is to dialogue, to communicate, to forgive and to reconcile with one another. It should be an opportunity for us to recognize the preciousness of our God-given “koinonia”, which pride and self-righteousness, apathy and un-forgiveness threaten. It should be an opportunity for us to live firmly in our Christian values, to follow in Jesus footsteps, to embrace His cross in order to unite ourselves with the Father’s will. It is when we die to our passions, to our desires, to our pride, to our prerogatives, to our personal loyalties- for the sake of the gospel- that the true community emerges. When it does, then the Lord’s glory has indeed shone on us.

The Lord’s call to “Come after me” is a radical summon to cleave to His person, “partaking of His life and His destiny, sharing in His free and loving obedience to the will of the Father” (John Paul II). Let us heed His call to be abidingly one with Him. When we are conformed in mind and heart to Jesus, then the Lord’s purpose for us is fulfilled: “fishers of men.”