Somethin' Fishy

This week's Gospel text comes to us from the book of Luke. It's a fairly well-quoted passage because it has very specific implications for ministry. I think there are some fundamental issues at stake that are worth addressing.

First, I have to admit that I know NOTHING about fishing. I know that I enjoy eating fish that someone else has caught. I know that fishing boats smell fishy. I know that fishing happens largely before and after sunrise, and that it's very hard work. I think it's also interesting that I do not personally know anyone who is a professional fisherman. It is not as common as it used to be back in Jesus' day. Fisherman like Simon Peter, James, and John were responsible for feeding their families and often their communities. Meaning - many people relied on them for a fruitful day's work.

The fishermen had been working ALL night long, and had not caught a thing. When Jesus meets them on the shore, he invites them to put out their nets one more time. They didn't just catch a few fish - they filled BOTH boats to the point that they nearly sunk. This is a very clear indication of God's abundance. How have you experienced God's abundance in your life?

I think it's very significant that James, John, and Simon Peter put down their nets and decided to follow Jesus. Fishing was their livelihood. It was their communal means of sustenance. It was no small matter for these fishermen to follow Jesus out of town. Hearing God's call for our lives is not always an easy matter, nor something to be taken lightly. What would it take for you to hear God's call in your life? Do you think you would be as willing to drop your nets and follow Jesus that quickly? Do you remember a time in your life when you specifically responded to God's call to you?

Gospel for Sunday, February 7: Luke 5:1-11

Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." Simon answered, "Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets." When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people." When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.