by Fr. Justin Fulton
He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.
Matthew 4:21-22
Peace be with you. My name is Father Justin Fulton. I am currently the Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia of the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln.
This is the first time I’ve written for this column, entitled “Voices of the Diocese.” I could choose to write about diocesan finances, investments, real estate, human resources, outlay, and other items I tend to on a day-to-day basis. But I think I’d rather write on Jesus and His Gospel, related to the above story in Matthew. After all, I’m a priest for Jesus Christ in service to His Gospel and His people.
When reading this passage, perhaps one could write on the need to follow Jesus immediately, to give up everything to follow Jesus, and how giving our all to Jesus is necessary as baptized Catholics. We’ve all heard those homilies. However, I’d like to write on someone who isn’t mentioned in this story, but was very much impacted by it: the mother of James and John, the wife of Zebedee.
Do you ever wonder about the mother in the story? What did she experience? What did she go through after her two sons didn’t come home that night? There was an expectation they would come home, but they did not. I wonder what kind of surprise and loss that mother may have felt.
Imagine being at home, preparing for the welcome that night. Perhaps that mother was cleaning or preparing a meal. Perhaps she was going to surprise them with open arms and share the love that she had for them. But when Zebedee showed up alone that night, can you imagine the shock and loss that the mother felt? A mother’s heart is fierce, strong, compassionate, loyal, sacrificial and loving. I imagine she was shocked and hurt with the unexpected loss.
I know many mothers who feel that same type of loss. These are mothers of saints. These are mothers who experience miscarriage and infertility.
I cannot imagine what it must feel like to have a life inside of the womb. To have that awesome gift inside of one’s self, there would have to be a lot of expectation, preparation, and joy. And then to find out that God called that Life, as Jesus called James and John in this Gospel passage, and to let go, would be difficult, heroic, and saintly.
I pray for those who struggle with infertility. I pray for those who have given their children to God through miscarriage. I pray for their faith. I pray that they always feel Jesus’ closeness, hope, and love in their lives. I pray that they know that He cares for them, and that the whole Church cares for them as well. And I pray that they always know they are indeed mothers, fathers, and parents. Although they may have had other plans, like the mother in this Gospel account, they let go of their children to Jesus, just like this mother. They are still mothers, although their children may not be with them here on this earth.
Infertility and miscarriage are real. They are difficult. Jesus understands this. If you know of someone who struggles with infertility and miscarriage, would you pray to Jesus for them? And perhaps consider asking the mother of James and John to pray for them as well. Her wisdom and her prayers can help soothe and console those who experience unexpected loss.
Thank you for your faith in Jesus Christ and His Catholic Church! May God bless and keep you always.
