FISHERMEN AND FISHERS OF MEN

The story of the miraculous catch of fish (Luke 5:1-11) has been commented on by someone who knows the Sea of Galilee; his conclusion is that Peter and Andrew, James and John, should have known those waters (shallows and depths, times of day, and whatnot) FAR better than any itinerant preacher from an inland town like Nazareth. But they listened, they brought in more than they could easily handle, and as a result became Jesus’ followers.

Perhaps the sequence (based on last Sunday’s Gospel and today’s, mixed with Luke) would be a chance (?!) encounter with Jesus in the company of John the Baptist. Jesus gives Simon his new nickname of Peter; Peter says thanks, and that’s the end of it. Then comes the scene at the Sea of Galilee. Jesus asks for Peter’s boat since they’ve already encountered each other; when the catch of fish occurs, Peter and his mates realize the title given by John, “Behold, the Lamb of God” is not just clever verbiage. And off they go. “Where” was not important; “with whom” was all that mattered.

On their own, those professionals would never have gone fishing (trolling) there, and then. They knew better. They would have expected what their previous night’s results would have been: nothing. It’s amazing that those men simply didn’t say to Jesus, “Thanks for the advice, but no thanks.” They didn’t, and it changed their lives forever.

The pope is the successor of St Peter; every bishop is a successor of the Apostles. But we are all, in our own ways, called to be “fishers of men.” What does that require? #1—saying yes. #2—looking where the Lord points. I’m reading a fanciful version of the Christmas story right now, and a line in it really struck me. It is about the Magi’s search for the new Messiah, and when they (and their guide, Agios) bribed their way to enter Bethlehem, the narrator wrote: “[The guards] took no notice of the star at all—perhaps, thought Agios, it was meant to be seen only by people looking for it.” The bottom line is how open we are to seeing where the star might lead us. Could we have imagined a “miraculous catch” among the Indigenous peoples of 16^th century Mexico? But thanks to the open heart of Juan Diego and the pointing of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, it happened.

The “miraculous catch” doesn’t have to be special in terms of numbers—perhaps a small net, thrown where the Lord wants, can bring in the result He desires. Perhaps our St Vincent de Paul food pantry is one such place; perhaps our Souper Bowl of Caring is another “net” we should cast out; perhaps generosity to our Catholic Charities Appeal is yet another… Who knows? What is important is only saying yes and looking where the Lord points.

Let’s all say yes to the Lord, “fish” where He tells us, and bring others home to Him. If we throw our “nets” where He points, we might be staggered at the results. -Fr. David