Fishing with Jesus

We may not like fishing. However, after Jesus’ invites us to go fishing with him, we will be thrilled.

The same thing happened to the disciples in today’s Gospel. Without explanation they are thrilled to give up everything to go fishing with Jesus.

Jesus never accepted volunteers or those worthy of a roster spot. He chose disciples just because he wanted them without regard for their qualifications. In fact, the only qualification seems to be that they were not qualified.

Jesus’ invitation must have come as a shock. When Jesus said to them, “Follow me!” it was stunning announcement of good news. Their lives had repeatedly been called into question. Now Jesus dares to value them unconditionally by inviting them to go fishing with him.

Jesus gives us God’s love and in exchange bears all that weighs us down all the way to the cross. God raises Jesus from the dead to show that nothing can ever undo God’s commitment to be our friend.

The disciples believed Jesus’ promise and left behind their old way of life. They went fishing for people with the message, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” The kingdom is God’s love of the outcast. Repentance is the joyous response to that good news.

We GET TO go fishing with Jesus sharing that good news to all those longing for hope.