What I’m Thinking: Catch and… Then What?

Jesus summoned his first disciples from their nets and told them they would now fish for people. But once you’ve caught people, what do you do then? They’re not to be used like fish.

Here’s a transcript:

Well, first of all, I’m thinking how good it is to be here, that last weekend’s nuclear attack warning was an error and not the first word of a horrifying calamity. It was a call to us to work for peace, to resolve the differences and the conflicts between ourselves and other nations.

There is no winning in a nuclear exchange. There is only horror and destruction and death. And it is time for national leaders everywhere to turn away from the paths that lead to such a horror.

I’m also thinking about the first chapter of Mark (Mark 1:14-20) and Jesus’ call to his first disciples. He summoned Peter and Andrew from their nets and told them “I will make you fishers for people.”

Well, that’s what we have believed ourselves to be doing in the Christian Church pretty much ever since: fishing for people. And the question in my mind is, “Well, what do we do once we’ve caught them?” 

Because it’s not like fishing. You don’t use people the way you use fish. You feed people and you unite with people and you take on common causes with people.

And so that, I think, is what the Church is truly about: helping everybody who is hungry to find some sustenance for their souls and for their bodies, to help those who want to improve things to do so, and to provide those folks with the comfort of friendship and companionship, in good times and in bad times, all along the way.

That’s what I’m thinking. I’m curious to hear about what you’re thinking, so leave me your thoughts in the comment section below. I’d love to hear from you.