Casting A Hook

As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised." And they were greatly distressed. When they reached Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax came to Peter and said, "Does your teacher not pay the temple tax?" He said, "Yes, he does." And when he came home, Jesus spoke of it first, asking, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tribute? From their children or from others?" When Peter said, "From others," Jesus said to him, "Then the children are free. However, so that we do not give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook; take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a coin; take that and give it to them for you and me." Matthew 17:22-27 

Casting A Hook

 

Early morning light breaking

the water covered a blanket of fog

wading knee deep in the chilly water

casting and wondering why.

A seemingly ridiculous exercise

a  foolish errand from the Incarnate

the stillness of the morning gratitude

there was no one watching this task.

Wanting miracles this fisherman

stands in the water waiting and praying

that shame will not be his identity

hoping not to be ridiculed yet again.

The servants of the incarnate Lord

are sent to awkward and foolish places

unknown outcomes and feeling foolish

standing amidst this world of skeptics.

Faith asks us to stand in deep water

expecting coins from fish mouths

impossible miracles and healing

love where there was only hate.

God is sufficient and more

the world sees foolishness 

but we know abundance in scarcity

peace and love in the storms of war.