The Ministry of Jesus Christ: Call of the Fishermen

As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him. - Matthew 4:18-22 (RSVCE)

Jesus, leaving Nazareth, goes to dwell at Caparnaum. Walking by the Sea of Galilee, He sees Peter and Andrew fishing, and calls them to come after Him. They immediately leave their nets and follow Him. He afterwards calls John and James, the sons of Zebedee, who obey with similar alacrity.

This was not the first time that Jesus had drawn to Himself Saint Andrew and Saint Peter. (John 1:41) But He had not definitely called them to join Him. He works for the most part gradually in the hearts of men. He sows the seed of His grace, and then He leaves it for a time to mature, and afterwards a second summons leads to willing sacrifice for Him. So He has dealt with me. He has led me on gently, and sought to bring me by degrees nearer to Himself. Have I the good-will of these disciples?

Jesus calls these fishermen to be fishers of men, to cast the Gospel net which hauls those who are enclosed in its sacred toils into the rich preserves and the unfathomed waters of the love of God. O what a privilege to be a fisher for God, and to share with Jesus the glorious task of filling the living waters with those who shall bask and shine in them to all eternity.

After Peter and Andrew, James and John are called. They are mending their nets with their father Zebedee, when Christ calls them; nets, fishing, father, all count for naught. He calls, and then occupations, possessions, relations, all must be abandoned for His sake. What have I given up for Him?

- taken from The Ministry of Jesus Christ: Short Meditations on the Public Life of Our Lord, by Father Richard Frederick Clarke, SJ