In St. Mark’s gospel the call of the first disciples is pretty simple. “Come follow me,” says Jesus and they leave their boats and follow him. St. Luke describes more of a process of becoming a disciple that rings true to our own experience. First there is curiosity — who is this Jesus and what is he about. There is something attractive to his message so Peter and the others respond to the call. But the call has within it a challenge: “Put out into deep water.” Pope John Paul II heard that challenge — “duc in altum” in Latin — as foundational to the Christian life. Jesus challenges us to be more forgiving, more compassionate, more generous, more loving. When we respond to that challenge God confirms its authenticity by filling us up — our forgiveness is filled with freedom, our compassion with peace, our generosity with giftedness, our giving love with receiving love. But that very fullness causes us to confess that this word of Jesus might be too much for us. Leave me for I make mistakes, I’m an ordinary bloke, I’ll try to be decent but I fear you are asking more of me than I can give. But then comes the commissioning. Yes, I know what you’re like but I still choose you to bring my message into the world. The pattern of Peter was one we all go through. In prayer today see where you are and dare to take the next step of discipleship.
