Inspired by Luke 5:1-11
Some of my favorite childhood memories involve fishing with
my dad at Lake Berryessa. My dad would get me up super early, I mean, God
wasn’t even up yet, still dark outside! And though it was difficult to get up,
I don’t remember complaining. Once we left the house, still dark by the way,
I’d catch a quick nap on the way. We’d stop in the little town of Winters and
go to the same bait and tackle shop. There we’d get the same three things, as
if it was part of the ritual of the day: we’d get our minnows, I’d get a pack
of beer nuts, and my dad would get a cheap cigar. He’d always whisper to me,
“Don’t tell mom”, with a smirk on his face because we both knew full well that
mom already knew. From there our adventure would continue to the lake, to the
same spot every time, just on the other side of the glory hole. We’d park on
the side of the road, grab our gear, and walk down some very steep, rocky
terrain to get to our spot.
By this time the sun was coming up and we’d fish from the
shoreline there for the rest of the morning. Well, my dad would fish for the
rest of the morning. I’m not sure how long I lasted. I’d start out fishing but
the lure of adventure in that rocky terrain was too great and before long, off
I went to explore. I’m sure that unnerved my dad but I don’t remember him ever
getting mad at me for not fishing. I’m guessing my dad was just happy to spend
time with his son, just like I was just happy to spend time with my dad.
Because forty years later, I don’t remember the fish that we caught, or how
cold it was in those early morning hours, or how tired I was, or even how tasty
those beer nuts may have been. I remember a dad willing to spend quality time
with his son, with love and what I’m sure was a healthy dose of patience, to
connect in ways that go beyond words.
As you may have already guessed, connection is the name of
the game today as we read this story from the early days of Jesus’ ministry as
Luke tells it. In this passage we find Jesus newly tested in the wilderness,
newly baptized, having just delivered his inaugural address, and had just
performed his first exorcism and first healings, and what is the next thing he
does so early in his ministry? Asks for help! We’re only five chapters into
this Gospel and Jesus is already looking for help! What kind of an all
powerful, cosmic wonder is this Jesus? We’re not even two months into this
ministry and he’s already recruiting some assistants!
I think this passage from Jesus’ early days of ministry is
chock full of valuable lessons and that’s a huge one. Knowing that even Jesus
didn’t try to do this alone might be the greatest source of comfort that we
could ever ask for, especially when this work of ours brings it’s share of
enemies, as we explored last week. But even aside from the enemies, this work
can be daunting. There are so many causes for us to champion, so many in need
of help, that it can be easy for us to become overwhelmed at best, complacent
at worst. It’s easy to fall into that old trap of thinking, what difference
could little ol’ me make anyway? This is where Jesus’ genius comes in. In what
I think was a move to be an example for us, Jesus asks for help. Because
really, do any of us really believe that Jesus couldn’t have done it alone? But
the important thing here is, he didn’t. He knew that together we are stronger.
And not just in terms of getting things done, but in the support that we can
offer each other in this often-daunting work that we are called to. We are
stronger together, in every way that matters, as we connect with each other,
there’s that word again, as we do God’s work together.
Back to fishing. Jesus calls us to be fishers of people.
Now, in the past, this has been used in colonialist ways that hurt a whole lot
of people in the process. Whole civilizations have been wiped out all in the
name of “expanding the kingdom of God.” Just ask my ancestors, the Aztecs, oh
that’s right, you can’t, they’re gone, wiped out by “good-meaning” Spanish
conquistadors who were just swinging by the new world to spread the good news.
You’re picking up the sarcasm, right? My point is, fishing for people hasn’t
always taken on a catch and release mentality. Too often it’s been more like
catch and become one of us or be destroyed. I really don’t think that is what Jesus
had in mind when he told Peter to that he’d be fishing for people from now on.
And I’m assuming you’d agree with that. So what did he mean? Going door to door
and telling people about Jesus? Volunteering at a homeless shelter or soup
kitchen? Going to worship every Sunday? Reading your Bible more? I know,
listening to more Christian radio! Ok, I’ll turn down the sass. I’m not saying
that doing any of those things is bad, but I also don’t think that is what
Jesus is talking about here.
I believe that it’s all about connection. I think Jesus was
using this image of fishing because he knew how fishing connected them to
nature, how it connected them to the sea, how it connected them to providing
for their families, how it connected them to their communities, Jesus knew the
power of connecting with people! And so, when Jesus tells Peter to go and start
fishing for people, he’s telling him to go and connect with people in the same
way that fishing has connected you to the world around you in so many wonderful
and life-sustaining ways! No go start connecting with people, Peter, because
that’s the only way we’re going to truly communicate God’s unconditional love
and salvation for all!
This my friends is why this work is so hard, so daunting, but it’s also why it’s so needed. Because often times the people that need God’s unconditional love the most, are people who are very different from us. And so, for a congregation that is mostly white, that means being called to find ways to connect with people of color. For a congregation that is mostly straight, that means finding ways to connect with people from the LGBTQ community. For a congregation in which most members find themselves above the poverty line, that means finding ways to connect with people who are below it. You get my drift? Is that enough examples? I’ll stop there? Why is this so hard? Because it’s so much easier to just throw some money at some good causes and call it a day. But connecting with people, really connecting with people, putting yourself in places where you can spend quality time with people who may need it the most, takes time, effort, intentionality, authenticity, not to mention a healthy dose of patience, and it will cause you some discomfort. But, it’s the only way to truly communicate God’s unconditional love and salvation for all, in ways that mere words just cannot, as well as find partners in this work that we are called to, and to release them into the world to do some fishing of their own. It’s a tall order, I know! I’m right there with you. But it’s work that is needed now more than ever, and we get to be partners in it with Christ, who continually forgives our sins and says, “Don’t be afraid. From now on, you will be fishing for people.” Thanks be to God. Amen.
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