One of the reasons cell phones are so popular is that people don’t want to miss a call. Sure there are exceptions but lots of people carry their phones wherever they go and hardly ever turn them off! Who would of thought staying in touch was so essential??

In today’s Gospel reading, Simon and Andrew, James and John receive calls that they couldn’t ignore or shut off. Jesus calls them and invites them to become his followers. Working their nets at the lake side, Jesus comes walking along. First, He calls Simon and Andrew and offers to make them fishers of men; then the same for James and John. The gospel says they immediately left their boats and followed him.

You have to wonder what it was about Jesus that attracted them and disarmed them so much that they turned their back on their profession and previous life and took off after Him.

I suspect it had to do with the themes that runs through our readings today. The Gospel quotes Isaiah the prophet, which is our first reading. It says a people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light. Jesus it seems exuded that light in His person – a light that offered hope and promise to a people whose lived were filled with gloom and distress. Of course He would be attractive to them.

Jesus calls them to become his apostles – to become beacons of light to all those who continued to fumble in the darkness. Once Jesus would leave them it became their responsibility to brighten the lives of those they met.

And that call comes from Jesus to each and every one of us. As we look out on another gloomy winter’s day it is easy to forget the shining light which Christ brings to our lives. Perhaps it doesn’t make the sun shine but it brightens our hearts to know that God has kept His promise and brings us the gift of salvation and eternal life.

As Jesus and the apostles exuded that hopeful light, may we too bring that brightness into our lives and into the lives of those who continue to walk in the gloom and the darkness.