Are We Disenchanted with Christ?

Yesterday's Gospel Reading (Matthew 4:18-22) is one of my favorites. It tells the story of Jesus calling the first Apostles. Jesus is just strolling down the beach near the Sea of Galilee and he sees two brothers, Peter and Andrew, chilling in their boats. Normally people wouldn't look twice at these two fishermen, but Jesus looked at them, saw their potential, and said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men". And immediately Peter and Andrew left their nets, their families, and their former lives to follow this random dude walking on the beach.

As I meditate on this scene, I like to place myself in the shoes (or sandals, I suppose!) of Peter and Andrew. They are at work, doing what they do every day, and this stranger tells them to come and follow him. As they peered at Jesus, I have to imagine that they saw in him something so different, so genuine, and so enchanting that they desired to follow him at once. Christ spoke one sentence to them and they were willing to drop everything in pursuit of him. Completely captivated by Jesus, they were willing to give up their entire lifestyle, their identies, and their relationships to follow him.

But what about us? Are we still so enthralled by Christ that we are willing to give up our lives to follow him? Are we willing to sacrifice our desires, our popularity, our vision for our future, and our comfort to say yes to this captivating Christ? Or have we become disenchanted by Christ? Do we fail to see the beauty and transformative power of giving ourselves over to Jesus? Do we see God as so small and insignificant that he only deserves one hour a week at Mass and maybe a prayer before dinner? Have we become numb to the splendor of God's love so beautifully displayed to us by Christ on the cross? Have we lost our sense of awe that the God of the universe chooses to dwell within our broken and sinful bodies?

Let us pray to the Holy Spirit to assist us and to give us the grace to remain ever enchanted by Jesus Christ, daily surrending more of ourselves to this ever-faithful Savior.