Luke 5:1-11
Epiphany 5C
My father loves to take his grandkids deep-sea fishing when we visit him in Florida. A former Navy man, Dad loves being on the water. Even though it means waking up early on vacation, my kids love deep-sea fishing too. We are on the boat by 7 a.m.; then we fish for four hours. The time passes quickly when the fish are biting. It’s a thrill to get a tug on one of the lines, then watch my 12-year-old use all her strength to reel in a tuna, kingfish, or – eek! – a barracuda. The fishers only keep what we can eat. Everything else is returned to the sea.
The last time we ventured out for a full morning of fishing, the sea was beautiful, the salty wind and the warm sun invigorating. Dad sprang for a breakfast of freshly baked donuts. (Chocolate frosting and custard filling make everyone happy.) But as the morning progressed, the fish didn’t bite and the sun grew hotter, baking everyone’s enthusiasm in its rays. We could escape the sun and wind by climbing inside the boat’s small cabin. But that’s also a great place to get seasick. So we rode out the morning, enjoying family time together, while also looking forward to getting back to shore and our air-conditioned car. We caught nothing.
I cannot imagine saying, “Yes” to Jesus if he greeted me after that long morning by saying, “Let’s go back out!” Simon’s response clearly conveys his inner struggle. He wants to follow Jesus, but he’s worked his nets all night long and caught nothing. He’s exhausted and disappointed.
It’s easy to empathize with Simon. We often talk about Jesus pushing us outside our “comfort zone.” But what about when it feels as though Jesus pushes us beyond our limits of energy and imagination? Simon’s tired. He can’t imagine catching any fish after coming up empty-handed all night long. Can’t Jesus see this poor guy just needs a nap?
When I read this text today, I think of all the exhausted people trying to serve and be faithful to Christ’s call in this pandemic. The teacher contemplating early retirement because his school board hasn’t prioritized his health and safety. The hospital chaplain who has run out of creative ways to support those who are called to care for the sick and dying. The church pastor who just can’t perform or pretend anymore that she is happy in her current call. But I don’t believe we need to read this text as Jesus calling us to push beyond our physical and spiritual limits, to work ourselves to the bone, to sacrifice our health for the sake of others. Jesus himself took time away for prayer and rest.
An important detail in this story is who meets Simon when he’s back out on the deep water, fishing with Jesus. Simon and Jesus let down the nets and catch so many fish that their nets begin to break — so Simon signals his partners to come and help.
Jesus never calls us to shoulder all the work alone. Simon has fishing partners and a second boat. There are twelve disciples, not one. Pastors have colleagues and congregants and diverse validated ministries to serve alongside them and help carry out their mission. Partners we must call before our nets begin to break.
The Body of Christ is broad and diverse — full of disciples of various skills and talents. This passage serves as a good reminder that none of us is called to be Jesus. None of us is called to be the singular Savior. All of us are called to do our part, to put a hand on that heavy net, full of fish, and help haul it into the boat.
Questions for reflection:
- How did this passage intrigue, disturb, challenge, comfort, encourage or inspire you?
- At what point do you know to ask for help before your net breaks?
- Who have you seen or witnessed struggling with the weight of their call? What partnerships might help shoulder the weight of this work?
- With whom can you or your church partner to in following Jesus? What can you imagine and create together?
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