Dropping the Nets and the Sins, Too

I imagine the gaze of Jesus would have been captivating.

His eyes revealed a love that would transform sinners into Saints, raise the dead to life, and make fishermen drop their nets and follow Him.

I imagine awe that must have overcome Saint Peter and Saint Andrew when they heard the voice of Jesus, the very breath of I AM Incarnate enveloping them in wonder as He said, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men."

The fishermen dropped their nets. The nets and boats that once defined them were now left to drift in the sea.

Fishermen became “fishers of men.”

As I prayed through this Scripture, I began to wonder which nets I needed to drop. Was I entangled within nets of comparison? Nets of jealousy? Nets of perfectionism? Nets that trap the beauty of womanhood beneath knots of disappointments and shame?

Jesus is inviting us to let them drop. Jesus is inviting us to allow His gaze to penetrate our hearts and transform us.

The First Reading says, "But not everyone has heeded the good news; for Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed what was heard from us? Thus, faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ" (Romans 10:16-17).

Do we hear His call? Have we embraced the Good News that we are not shackled, but as His beloved daughters we are free? We are free to trust in His Word. We are free to proclaim the Gospel and rejoice. Let His loving gaze fall fresh upon your eyes.

It is time to drop our nets and follow Him as sisters in Christ, united and free.

Jesus is inviting us to allow His gaze to penetrate our hearts and transform us. // Leana BowlerClick to tweet

Did you know Saint Andrew was Saint Peter's brother? Find out more here.

Leana Bowler is a wife and mother of five little ones. She is a Holy Rosary enthusiast with deep devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Her love for the message of Divine Mercy led her to become a Marian Missionary of Divine Mercy dedicated to spreading Marian Consecration and the beauty of Christ's abundant Mercy. She enjoys finding the miracles in the mess of family life, books, strong coffee, and encountering others wherever they're at in this blessed journey to sainthood. You can find out more about her here.