Casting Nets

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”
As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.
They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee. Mark 1:14-28


Casting Nets

Knee deep in a gentle incoming tide
the sun is setting such muted light
whether I gather enough fish or not
I can be fully satisfied today.

Waist deep in my private thoughts
suddenly interrupted by a voice
come follow me this very day
I want to show you how to fish for real.

Over my head in confusion and fear
this is my place mired in the sand
why would I want to journey from this sea
this source of life and all I know.

Again and again I am called by name
the water sings along, the birds do too
they know I am destined for another place
all creation asks me to turn from my home.

I am sinking into these possibilities
the sun has been swallowed today by water
I am taken up by the notion of following
casting my nets in very different seas.