“Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.’” From Luke 5:1-11
This week’s gospel begins with Jesus being pressed from all sides of the crowd and some exhausted fishermen. Jesus creates distance from the crowd by putting out from the shore to teach a bit. I sure would welcome knowing the content of that lesson! After bringing the word to the crowd, He turns to the fishermen and calls them to a different kind of work. We’d love to think that these calls to deeper discipleship only arrive when we are well-rested and able to respond immediately. But this lesson reminds us that sometimes it is real fatigue which allows God to act in a new way.
The fishermen, notably Simon, worked extremely hard all day without catching much in the way of fish. Jesus urges them into the deep water, and it is only when they take this risk that the nets are full to breaking. To seek abundance amidst our fatigue, our failures, and our real fears is the gritty work of faith. I suspect it may not always look graceful. It may be filled with doubt, resistance, and even a begrudging grimace on our faces. The encouraging part of this passage is that abundance is not dependent on us - it is all grace. It is God acting when we are willing to try one more time.
So, what are the small ways we can let our nets down into the deep water? The first spiritual practice I am relying on is intentionally seeking life and love amidst deeply concerning news in our national life. The chaos unfolding is undermining, regardless of our political persuasion. The lack of accountability of some actors is not congruent with our long-held democratic principles. This seeking of love is not to deny or avoid the real problems facing us, but it is to avoid the defeat of refusing to continue fishing.
Scripture reminds us that it is God in creation who brings order out of the chaos. It is Jesus who urges us not to give up. Regardless of our situation, God is present. For years, I’ve had a small plaque in my offices that is a quote the great psychologist Carl Jung had etched over his doorway: “Bidden or not Bidden, God is present.”
On the last day of our vestry retreat a few weeks ago, the beach at Mustang Island was filled with fog and grey skies. It was one of those walks you take when you can barely see where the next step will lead. That feels like a metaphor for these days. We are called to act as people of faith. The deeper the waters, the more we need to pace ourselves. Look to the small actions that give you hope and courage. And have the courage to take the next right step—trusting that Jesus is in the boat with us.
Peace, Beth +