“CHRIST FISHES YOU”
Saint Luke 5: 1-11
5th Sunday after Trinity: 12 July Anno Domini 2020
Fr Jay Watson, SSP
It’s an interesting story. It happened. The chronicler, Saint Luke, was not there. He writes what he heard, was told, and what was inspired by The Holy Ghost. It of course means what it means. The Lord was not just a man from Nazareth with wisdom and Scripturally true insights. He was God in the flesh. He was not performing a natural exhibition of fish-finding techniques and outdoorsman survival skills. He was commanding nature itself to bend to His will, His command, His Word. The miracle itself should be reassuring. The Creator and Sustainer that can command fish, and waves, can also defeat viruses. Christ’s brethren are kept as physically safe as He wishes, for as long as He wishes. All the things that happen to a Christian are governed by Him with the intent and result that the children of The Father remain so, and will be taken to eternity at the Resurrection.
Is that all? Maybe. There are many (too many to ever recount) sermons and homilies on this Gospel text. The meaning of this fishing story is the same for the original participants as it is for Saint Luke himself and his original audience, as it is for all successive audiences, readers, more importantly—"Hearers” world without end, amen.
Old sinful natures, yes, even the Christian’s own fallen nature, turn the narrative around so as to focus on the self, the ego. I must be like Saint Peter. I must be the loyal and obedient fisherman to all I come into contact with. I must be the long-suffering, patient, and trusting fisherman. Well, sure, that’s not wrong. Let’s expand it. There are 10 Commandments for the fisherman. Obey them all—all the time—perfectly—or be damned. Heck, most people don’t even like to fish. Double heck, most Christians don’t even like to refrain from cursing, gossiping, hating, coveting, and putting things ahead of God. Who do you fear, The Lord God or Covid-19(84)?
No, the meaning of the catch, the draught, of fishes is NOT about how YOU need to be, or are, the patient and obedient fisherman, but rather, how JESUS IS the true Fisherman. Peter and Andrew, James and John, Luke, every one of you, are the fishes!
Yes, Peter is the Prince of the Apostolic Band, the holder of the keys. Yes, Peter is called to be a fisher of men—a Bishop to the Jewish converts—a martyr in Rome. Peter, told by the God/Man to “feed My sheep,” is a hero of the faith. He’s also, like you, a man of weak faith, duplicitous behavior, and a man who could commit betrayal borne from fear. As are we all.
How did Christ save Peter and the other Eleven, and all the Disciples? Not by their skills. Not because of their possessions (boats, tackle, nets). Not by their efforts and desire—We really, really, WANT to catch more fish. We really are trying hard to ‘do’ what the Master wants us to do. NO.
Jesus gave them fish to eat, more than they could possibly eat, by His desire and will; by His Word. He called them to follow Him. They did not decide to look for Him and “fall in” behind Him. Jesus saves. Jesus obeys and fulfills the Father’s will for Adam and for you. Jesus suffers and dies for Adam’s treason, for Peter’s treason, and for yours.
“Lord, ‘tis not that I did choose thee, That, I know, cold never be; For this heart would still refuse Thee Had Thy Grace not chosen me.” [TLH #37.1]
The Lord no longer does His loving activities in the way He did that day on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus is no longer visibly present; corporally and “locally” present. Jesus is Present nonetheless. He is present, Bodily, in His Church, that is, through His chosen and appointed “means.” He is actually, truly, and really present—Bodily here, today! He is present in The Office of The Holy Ministry because it’s His Ministry, His Service of His Word and His Supper.
Thus, like Peter, you are fed, clothed, comforted, adopted, and protected all the way to the gates of glory, not by your wisdom, your memory work, your cash contributions, your family history, your confirmation, your attendance record, your possessions, your hard work, your prayer warrior log-book, or you firm desire to “do better,” to be a better fisherman. No! You are saved by Jesus.
Look again at the Holy Crucifix. There it is. Look again at the Baptismal + Font. There it is. Look to the Chalice and Ciborium, or rather—to what will be In Them—for you. There it is.
You body did not do it. Christ’s Body did it. And, you eat It.
Your blood was not shed, nor accounts for, neither atones for anything in your salvation. Christ’s Blood shed did it. And you drink It.
Jesus’ Presence in His Holy, Mysterious, Powerful, all Creating, Saving, and Sustaining Word does it all. He is the bait, the true Food for all fishes. His Spirit is the great net cast out from the Ship of His Church. What may appear to the world, the pagans, and even the weak-faith (at times) of all of us, as messy, embarrassing bloody chum in the swirling dangerous waters of Galilee, of 2020, and all times, is nothing but the banquet feast of God in the Flesh.
Not a “fish story” but His story, and yours!
In the Name of the Father and + of the Son and of The Holy Ghost
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