As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Matthew 4:18-19

These were experienced fishermen. They did not choose this line of work. It chose them. In Jesus’ time, people worked in the profession of their families. It was the only thing they needed to know. Jesus invited them to “fish” for people. The familiar term did not fool them. Jesus was inviting them to do something completely different and a little risky. They fished for food. It provided them with a livelihood. However, being fishers of people was not a lucrative alternative back then. The gospel tells us that they left everything and followed Him without any hesitation. I often thought what I would do if I was in their position. I imagine that I would have just disregarded Jesus as a madman and continued with my task. This would be the most ordinary thing to do. The disciples were ordinary people just like us. Yet, they were able to do this extra-ordinary thing. It is something that I never understood until we started our ministry with the homeless children and teens. They gave us an insight into the hearts and mind of these disciples. Most importantly, they challenged us to confront some things within ourselves.

Once upon a time, our homeless children and teens had a home. They lived with their families. They lived in a neighborhood, albeit, an extremely poor one. As children, they were not necessarily aware of their social status. Besides, they did not have a choice in the matter. They were born into poverty. It is what they have always known. One day, they decided to leave behind everything and step into the unknown. They stepped away from what was comfortable into something that was harsh and hostile. Compared to the streets, anything with a roof and walls could be considered comfortable. At least, this is from our middle class perspective. Our children saw things differently. They did not want comfort. They did not want security. They desired something that they were not receiving at home. All they wanted was to be someone. In their homes, unfortunately they were nobody. No one desired to be with them. No one wanted to be with them. They suffered an identity crisis. They were not sure if their lives mattered to anyone or anybody. They chose to leave their homes in search of themselves. The only place that would receive them was the streets. It was the best option available to them as hard as it is for us to understand this.

It would be inaccurate to say that physical or sexual abuse drove them to the streets. There are some who suffered these things but they are in the minority. Most of our children and teens were just neglected. It wasn’t because their parents were irresponsible or indifferent. To the contrary, most of their parents did the best they could. They themselves were subjected to neglect and abject poverty as children. Most of them had to toil hours in the streets, recycling trash or even begging to put food on the table. Usually they would be too exhausted to spare any time for their children. Once a young teen, Gabriel, told me half jokingly that he was helping his family by living in the streets. They have one less mouth to feed.

This tragic circumstance is not new. It has been going on for hundreds of years. Homeless children and teens have been a reality in Brazilian society for decades. These are the poorest of the poor. No one really cares for them. No one really cares what they think or feel.

No political nor religious leader in Jesus’ time cared about the fishermen. They were insignificant or nobodies. If our children were to read this gospel that we heard today, they would be happy. Jesus chose His disciples among people just like them. When Jesus called them, these young fishermen were ready for something new. They were ready for meaningful life. Our children can appreciate this.

I realize that I found it hard to understand how the first disciples were willing abandon everything because I was happy where I am. This is not necessarily a good thing. It means that I am comfortable with the way things are in this world. Jesus is offering us something new in this world. We cannot receive the new unless we are willing to let go of the old. I realized that I liked the old too much to risk letting go of it. The first disciples of Jesus had to release the nets before they could become fishers of people.
Our children would love to fish for people like the first disciples. This is why they came to the streets. They want to have people close to them all the time. They want to talk with them. They want to be loved by people. For them, money, food, material properties do not mean anything. They value connection with someone above anything else. They want at least one person to recognize their presence and their absence. They desire at least one person to be always waiting for them. They have spent many years waiting for someone to love them. They have waited patiently in the streets and finally cast out their nets and brought us into their fold.

For some time, we thought that we needed to do something for these children and teens to help them secure a better future. However, they have taught us that this is not what they desire from us. They are wiser than us. They know that they belong to the poorest of the poor. The jobs that are available to them will never get them out of their social status. They know that life is going to be struggle for them. However, the thing they fear the most is to struggle alone.

They desire one thing from us which is the only thing we can give them. They want us to struggle with them. They want us to be with them when they apply for their jobs. They want us to be help them learn about their surroundings. They want us to be their guide when they have children of their own. They want to be fishers of people who would remain with them and most importantly love them.

What does it mean to be a fisher of people? It is a curious thing. It is hard to explain. Perhaps, Jesus would be best one to give us a hint. He connected people from all walks of life; people that society would disregard and ignore. He brings them together in a mysterious way and uses them to reveal to each other the deep and wonderful things of God. I have realized after serving almost everyday in the streets for more than six years, our primary calling is not to solve the social problems of our children, even though we do address them but they are more complex than what we could handle. Our calling is simpler and more powerful. It is allowing God to draw us closer to people whom we never associate with in a normal circumstance and discover together with them the mystery and power of God’s love. Perhaps you can join us and together fish for people who will enrich our understanding and knowledge of God’s abundant love.