3 Epiphany, Year B                                                                Jeremiah 3:21-4:2
January 22, 2006                                                                    Psalm 130
St. Margaret of Scotland Episcopal Church                             1 Corinthians 7:17-23
The Rev. Linda McCloud                                                        Mark 1:14-20 

Jesus goes fishing 

            In last Sunday’s sermon, I commented that sometimes it’s amazing how the lectionary scriptures fit into the context of our lives for that day.  Today is a prime example.  Our Gospel lesson in particular fits right in with this day in the life of our church.  Today, directly after this service, we will convene our Annual Meeting, hear reports and explore possibilities for the coming year.  We will review the church budget and be challenged to stretch and grow into that.  We will hear about the opportunity to participate in a building fund that will be used toward providing a parish hall and educational space. 

            But in this sermon, I want to challenge us to grow as a congregation so that we will truly need the parish hall and educational space.  We are a mission of the Diocese of Georgia.  A mission church is supposed to be just that.  We are supposed to be on a mission to grow and reach those around us who need to seek God or a deeper relationship with God.  The Episcopal Church is a lovely place to do that.  As we journey through the scriptures in the Church year, we get a balanced view of the story of God’s love toward us.  As we participate in Holy Eucharist from week to week, we gain a deeper relationship with God and with each other.  This is what we have to share with those around us.  We need to be willing to fish for people.   

            Our Gospel lesson is the wonderful passage about Jesus calling four disciples. Jesus’ call to them would change their lives forever.  I just have to quote the first verse of Hymn No. 661, and then we can move on from here: 

                        They cast their nets in Galilee
                        just off the hills of brown;
                        such happy, simple fisher-folk,
                        before the Lord came down.   

I want to point out a few things about these people whom Jesus called.  First of all, they were neighbors in the Galilee.  Maybe they had been competitors or even partners in the fishing business.  But it’s a pretty sure thing that they knew each other.  Fisher people know other fisher people.  I cannot think of any one of us who lives in a vacuum.  We all have neighbors, friends, or relatives.  We all know someone who would benefit from seeking God, or a deeper knowledge of God.   

            Secondly, these people might have seen Jesus before.  But maybe they had not seen him up close.  Maybe they had not heard Jesus call their name.  Maybe they had not been invited to follow him.  Jesus gives them (and us) a personal invitation.  Perhaps someone you know is waiting for a personal invitation to come and worship with us at St. Margaret’s.  Please invite them.  This will improve your people-fishing skills. 

            Thirdly, these invitations to follow Jesus happened in the course of daily living.  The scripture text makes it sound casual, as though Jesus was simply going for a walk along the shore of the lake.  Later, he would walk on the lake itself and his disciples would believe in him more than ever.  As we go about our daily business, let’s think in terms of inviting others to join us in joyful worship on Sunday mornings.  We don’t have to walk on water to do that. 

            At first glance we might think that Jesus looks all alone out there on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.  Actually, Jesus had gone fishing without a boat or a net.  He was fishing for followers.   

Jesus had picked Galilee very carefully.  He did not begin his ministry in Jerusalem, which was the hub and center of religious activity in his day.  He would later spend more time in Jerusalem, but the beginning of his ministry was out in the countryside.  He would work his way back to Jerusalem and be killed there by the authorities.  He would be buried there and rise again.  But after his resurrection, Jesus would return to the Galilee.  He loved that place.   

Jesus went out to the countryside where the air is clear and preached a simple but profound message.  He told his hearers that it was time to break out of their mold and live the dynamic life of the Kingdom of God.  They could break free and believe that God was present with them.  They were to repent – turn completely around – and follow Jesus. He would teach them how to live this new life.  He would give to them unforgettable stories and parables about how to love God and love their neighbors.  He would teach them how to fish for people. 

Jesus was not alone for very long.  He began by calling two sets of brothers.  Jesus knew that he could not do all the people-fishing by himself.  From a practical standpoint, Jesus had to have help.  Jesus needed other hands and feet to work and walk with him.  Jesus’ call to Simon and Andrew was simple:  literally, “Come after me and I will make you to become fishers of people.”  This was a permanent, ongoing invitation.  If they followed Jesus, they had to decide whether they would allow Jesus to make them to become something they had not been before.  This was risky business.  Would they become Jesus’ disciples and learn his ways?  Would they follow Jesus’ teachings?  But beyond that, would they pass Jesus’ teachings along to others?  Would their enthusiasm for the love of Jesus be contagious?  What would happen if they allowed Jesus to make them to become fishers of people?   

            Two others who on that day answered readily the call of Jesus were James and John.  Jesus also trained them to be and make disciples. Jesus would invest about three years in these first, carefully chosen people who would turn their world upside down.   

            Fishing is not as easy as it appears to be.  Serious fishing takes a lot of patience and ingenuity.  It also takes being in the right place at the right time.  It takes the right bait.  The people I know who like to fish seem to have fishing in their blood.  Some of them have bumper stickers that say, “I’d rather be fishing.”  I suspect that fishing can be habit-forming.  Once you catch a fish, you would want to catch more.  At least, that seemed to be Jesus’ attitude toward fishing.   

            I think that God still fishes for people.  I believe God uses many lures and baits to do that.  I think that one of the things God uses is beautiful, well-kept churches such as this one.  I think our physical plant is good bait.  When people drive by and see that we care about this place, it makes a good impression.  Some have ventured inside to see what goes on here.  That is very encouraging to me.  We also have a web site where people can check us out online.  They can read sermons, newsletters, and vital information about us and our connections to other like churches.  And we have nice signs around town pointing this direction.  Recently I learned that the Moultrie Chamber of Commerce is featuring St. Margaret’s in a film they will send to potential residents and businesses who might locate here.   

            As your priest, I’m continuously fishing for people.  I try to be very visible.  My purpose for doing that is to meet people who want to seek God or a deeper knowledge of God.  I believe they can explore their faith and seek God here at St. Margaret’s.  But like our Lord Jesus, I cannot do it alone.  Jesus did not start a secret society.  Jesus started a church which he loved and for which he gave himself over to suffering and death.  I believe the major reason why people come back to church again and again is that somehow they sense the mystery and the presence of God.  This fills an empty place – that “God-shaped vacuum” in our hearts.  Once we have experienced that, we’re hooked.  And once we are hooked on Jesus, our lives are forever changed.  The Holy Spirit of God reels us in.  Yes, our Lord Jesus is still fishing for disciples. I hope we can all join him in this exciting adventure.