‘As Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea – for they were fishermen.’ – Matthew 4:18
My Dad was a fisherman. Fishing was not just a hobby for him, it was his pathway to solace, fulfillment, and renewal. He wanted me and my brother Doug to be fishermen too. Instead, we rebelled by setting up a 3-hole golf course around his fishing cabin! I look back now and wish I had spent more time with my Dad out fishing.
A few years ago, I asked Danny Schieffler, a priest who is an avid fisherman, why did Jesus call fisherman as his first disciples. Danny said, ‘He sees action. He sees two brothers out doing something. He sees two guys willing to take a risk. He sees two souls who are on an adventure.’
Danny went on to share some advice about what fishing has taught him about becoming a disciple. He said a fisherman has to think like a fish. One of the first steps in becoming a disciple is a willingness to think beyond yourself. A disciple is a learner, one who is willing to enter the mind of his or her teacher. Jesus is looking for disciples that are not only willing to enter the mind of Christ, but also willing to enter the minds of others.
Jesus calls us to ‘fish for people.’ That means acknowledging that each species of fish, and each person, is different. That means finding out what each person is yearning for at the deepest level of his or her heart. That means listening carefully and presenting a fellow traveler with how the eternal bread of life that Jesus offers can fill his or her longing for a meaning that matters.
Danny said that, to a fisherman, failure is not a deterrent. If one doesn’t catch a fish one day, she or he goes back the next day in hopes of better luck. The keys to fishing are to keep showing up, keep your hook in the water, keep casting your net. It is a way of life in which you acknowledge that you are not in control of the situation nor in control of the outcome. It is the fisherman who provides availability and perseverance. It is God who provides the fish.
Finally, Danny told me that part of the joy of fishing is to give yourself fully to the adventure. It is a willingness to leave the safety of hugging the shore and to sail boldly into the uncharted waters of the open sea. For Peter and Andrew, and then for John and James, they were willing to leave their nets and their homes to go on an adventure with Jesus. They had no idea where it would lead. But they were willing to go. Their willingness to be caught by him was their first act of faith. Where will we cast our net?
Well, done, Paul. I especially enjoyed this because my dad was a fisherman too.
Thanks, Pat! So glad that Mike is doing better and is now at home.
“solace, fulfillment, and renewal” It is great your dad found these thru fishing.
Thanks, Billy! He loved smelling and finding bream beds, landing a big bass every now and then, and just the peace and harmony of being out on the water.
My husband, his son and his son are all avid fishermen
October is and has been the time to get together since the first son was six
Marjorie, so glad fishing has been a part of Rich’s and your family’s life for a long time. And glad it’s brought the generations together.
My father Joe Franklin Hager was one of the best crappie fishermen to fish Kentucky Lake between Paris, TN and the Kentucky border. This article made me think of him.
Gary, my Dad loved fishing for crappie (he called them bream). He knew every bream bed in the lake! Glad this gave you a fond memory of your Dad!
Our house in Knoxville is on the Tennessee River, and you’ll find Buck on the dock many evenings fishing. If you’re ever our way, please holler; there’s a rod, a cold beer and a beautiful sunset waiting on ya.