I listened to Mass yesterday via Catholic Radio, as I do most mornings, to center my heart and mind on the Lord. The homilist brilliantly told the story of St. Andrew, whom we celebrate on November 30th each year. The priest was eager to point out that St. Andrew, together with Sts. Peter, James and John, were all fishermen before following Jesus. A thought struck me more deeply than before, “Why did Jesus choose fishermen to be his first followers?” Further, I thought about what it takes to be a fisherman, whether recreational or professional. I searched “qualities of a fisherman” online. A blog written in 2010 by a bass fisherman listed traits that perhaps may draw us closer to the answer. The writer proposed the five traits as willingness to learn, patience, determination, instinct, and imagination. Let’s compare these traits and see how these may be applied to us as present-day disciples of Jesus.
Willingness to Learn
Who taught you how to fish? My dad and maternal grandfather taught me the “art of casting a line in.” The first lesson I learned…how to bait my hook with a live, thick, wiggling worm. I also used a cane pole which eventually evolved into a rod and reel, tangle-free of course! My last fishing excursion was in the ocean where my line (no lie) caught a 410lb Blue Marlin! We fought it for hours in order to see it up close. Thank goodness I was on a charter boat where ten other people, plus the crew could work together to bring it closer. It was HUGE. It was magnificent to experience! I named him “Walter” after my grandfather.
Fishermen are taught this skill at a young age usually by the invitation of a parent or relative. Children are eager to learn and willing do what it takes to master the new task. Their mind is readily open to new ways and ideas. Jesus knew these apostles were similar. They were open to Jesus, who “baited” them with a simple invitation, “Come after me and I will make you fishers of men.” Fishers of what!? Jesus spiked their curiosity, hence Andrew and Peter left their equipment, followed by James and John. They wanted to know more. They were willing to follow Jesus in order to learn more. Their lives were transformed forever. Is Jesus calling you to “come?” What do you need to need to “drop” or let go of to follow Him more closely? Are you open to His Words? What do you want to learn?
Patience
Waiting to for a fish to take the bait can seem like an eternity! But it is time well-spent as one is enveloped in God’s creation: life-sustaining water, air-filtering trees, warmth-nurturing sunlight, and lung-filling fresh air! There is little concept of time since waiting is of the essence. The anticipation of what is yet to come, also known as hope, places attention not time but on what is the actual benefit of being patient. Hopefully, for the fisherman, it’s a great catch! Same is true in being a disciple of Jesus. Pope Francis writes, “Evangelization consists mostly of patience and disregard for constraints of time.” When sharing the message of Jesus with others, we first retrieve them from their “swimming hole.” It’s easy to cast a line into another’s pond. It’s challenging to reel them in and to bring them home to God. This is exactly the calling of a disciple: to meet others “where they are,” develop a friendship rooted in love and mercy, steer them by the actions of Christ and walk them out of the pond into an ocean teeming with grace. The fruits of casting the rod bear greater worth than the time it takes to wait. Remember what St. Paul writes, “Love is patient.” Am I patience with myself? Am I patient with others? Am I patient with God?
Determination
Fishermen are committed to the end-in-mind, that being to “limit-out” their catch. They possess a strong determination coupled with high motivation to reach the desired outcome. Yet, endurance is key to staying on task and putting aside discouragement. Knowing the good of the catch is enough to sustain determination. With the apostles, Jesus knew their determination was strong enough to endure the trials in order to fortify the community of believers who would in turn survive beyond martyrdom and be the People of God, the Church.
Even though I am clueless about what the hook will catch, I will never give up, for Jesus never gives up on His catch. Am I determined to preach the good news of Jesus to whomever God places before me despite the large distance from my comfort zone? Am I willing to cast “into the deep” where I cannot see where the baited hook lands? Am I dragging bottom and catching flounder? Am I skimming the surface and snagging carp? Am I somewhere in between and catching trout? Who do you know that may be floundering in faith? Do you need to take the surface dweller and help them dive deeper in their faith? Still better, who are the ‘tweens which are safest in the mainstream, afraid to rise or go deep?
Instinct
Fishermen possess an innate ability to determine whether the catch will be good or bad in a certain spot, at a particular time and day, before, during or after weather events, or simply by going on a hunch. This ability is gained through experience and maturity. I have been on fishing boats equipped with “fish-finders.” Out goes instinct with technology! Still, computers cannot truly replace instinct. We must rely upon something deeper. Impulses guided by the Holy Spirit and developed through prayer empower us, as disciples, to know a moment is good or not so good to “cast” our line. If we are prompted we should speak. How many times did I miss the opportunity to share God’s love because I did not follow a prompting? What is moving inside me to reach out to another with love and intent? What is holding me back?
Imagination
There was a movie in the 1980’s entitled “On Golden Pond” starring Henry Fonda, who portrayed an elderly retired family man, Norman, experiencing trouble connecting with his estranged daughter. He loved to fish! Each summer at the family fishing cottage Norman imagined catching the “biggest fish in the pond” appropriately named “Walter.” [I can relate to that.] He insisted “Walter” was in the pond and always dreamed of catching it. Sure enough [spoiler alert] while fishing with his new step-grandson, Billy, the youth hooks “Walter” and Norman scoops it up with the net! They released the fish and Norman gave Billy his rod and reel. Mission accomplished!
Good fishermen teach others how to fish, list the possibilities, fish with them, watch them succeed then hand over the rod. Jesus did this with the apostles. He taught them, instilled hope, showed the way, affirmed their accomplishments then handed over the Church. It’s our turn to cast into the deep. Jesus has equipped you with the rod and reel of faith. Cast your line into the water and see what happens! God is full of surprises! And who knows…maybe “Walter” will be at the end of the line! Happy fishing! Thanks be to God!