Games played on the home court usually win. If the team is familiar with the court and at home with the audience, then they will have the edge to win the game. Lake Galilee stretches out from north down to the south of Israel and its shore practically embraces the whole Israel. That’s why fishermen are very familiar with different places in Israel. Considering also that fishing and selling fish were the work of the most number of people, and they met different kinds of people everyday, this kept them in touch with the grass roots. Since they know the place, they know the people and how they live. Thus they were the best men on Christ’s team.

Sometimes there is a struggle between “able” person and “available” person. There are persons who are really capable but can not give much time for God. And there are those who may not be that good but can commit most of his time to the church. Christ would rather choose the latter.  Scholars and the Scribes will not leave their works for Christ, but Peter even in the middle of his work “left his nets and followed him”. Availability for God is worth more than any good ideas about him.

To execute a good plan you need team work. You might not have the best players, but if they want to follow a leader and are willing to execute the game plan, you can still win. God needs our cooperation. Christ could have chosen the scribes, they know the law. He could have chosen the Pharisees, they know the teachings. Jesus could have tapped the Sadducees; they have money and political influence. But Christ knows that none of them will give up their personal pride to follow his plan. Their pride will not permit them to submit themselves to the simple knowledge of a carpenter’s son. It takes real humility to do that.

There’s a time for calling and a moment to respond (Vocation). We invite young boys and girls to consider of religious life as their option in life. Sometimes a man can be called at the middle of his career or even at the time when he is most needed by his family. It was very hard for Peter, in the middle of his work, to be called to do something very strange, “I will make you fishers of men”. How can you leave your career just like that and follow someone who just walked in along the shore? I can imagine how hard it was for James and John to leave their family and follow Christ. Their father was so loud and strict; in fact they were called “sons of thunder.” But the fact is that they “immediately left everything behind and followed Christ” It takes a generosity of the heart to follow him.