Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.’ When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signalled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!’For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.’

This year the feb fast was meant to happen.  It had been quite a lovely summer but it was time to give up the alcoholic bevies and detox the body!  That was until Feb 1^st.  This was the day my daughter started Primary school.  And I was proud as punch as she independently walked through the classroom doors in her adorable oversized uniform.  It is our school’s tradition that the prep mums and dads gather around for some, “gee we’re glad we’ve made it this far”, festivities, hosted by the grade 1 parents.  And that’s when I found myself on the 1^st of Feb at 8:55am sipping on a celebratory champagne.  My feb fast had lasted almost 9 hours – 7 of which I was asleep!  Luckily Lent was just around the corner and I had another week of a bit of Sauvy B. before I got into the serious fasting!

In this story, unlike my original fasting efforts, Simon had been working hard all night trying to catch some fish. By the time Jesus rocked up I imagine he was a little tired and despondent.  Have you ever busted your gut doing something you believed in only to reach poor outcomes or no outcomes at all?  Then have you ever had someone come and tell you perhaps you should do it all a bit differently? Quite a humbling experience.  But Simon had the sensibility to recognise that Jesus was speaking and that he should take his advice.

I love the way that when Simon knew he was onto a good thing he beckoned his mates over to share the love.  Soon they had two boats full of fish.  It now wasn’t just Simon who was amazed with Jesus but a whole bunch of fisherman.  But what was their reaction?  It seemed that they were afraid of Jesus because all of a sudden it seemed they didn’t have this fishing thing figured out. They were so humbled they didn’t want to be around Him.

And Jesus chose them! Jesus chose the humble and afraid fisherman.  The fisherman who didn’t have everything figured out, but who were willing to listen to him and try again.  These were the ones called to be Jesus’ first disciples.

I look forward to hearing how Jesus humbles and amazes us this Lent as we reflect upon what he is asking us to do differently.

Blessings,

 – Cathie S.