Fishing

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 lake—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, throwing him into convulsions 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

The life of those who fish for a living is grueling. These days commercial fishing demands that folks are away from their families for long periods of time. The winter seas are cruel and hazardous, and the summer seas are brutal as well. Many die in the pursuit of a livelihood. The fishermen that Jesus called lived a rough life of hard work, long days and deep disappointments. They also came from generations of people who fished, so knew nothing else. I have known many who went to sea to feed their families and know how hard their lives are. I also know that by calling them, Jesus was bringing hardened men into even harder circumstances, facing challenges and people they had no preparation or training to face. Their willingness sets an example for us, and reminds us that God calls us to places we are not prepared for. We must lives by the grace of the Holy Spirit and trust in the Creator's love for us.

Loving God, you call us away from comfort

sending us into the unfamiliar and the foreign

yet you never leave our sides in troubled times

and you send your Holy Spirit to encircle us.

We humans try to control the chaos and storms

although time after time we know our limits

we think we can outsmart and outthink the dangers

yet we find ourselves crying out to you for rescue.

Help us, Lord, to seek your presence in this time

on troubled seas, stormy nights and calm mornings

your are always with us and guiding us along

help us to make our safe harbor with you always. Amen.