Pastor’s Corner – February 9, 2025
From Now On, You Will Catch People/Luke 5:1-11
I always wondered as a child what this passage meant when Jesus called his first disciples on the shore of Galilee. In my childhood imagination, I saw a fishnet full of people in place of fish, which I don’t think is what Jesus had in mind. What Jesus meant for his disciples perhaps is much closer to the influence or impact they will have on their mission as followers of Jesus, spreading good news, the gospel of God’s love and grace. Jesus says, “don’t be afraid,” not to fear what is next. What is often missed in this story however, is the sinking boat and tearing of the net because of the sheer weight of caught fish. The very livelihood of fishermen was being torn down in their call to be disciples.
What’s the message here? When we forge a relationship with God as followers of Jesus, our values and center of gravity begin to shift. The experience of God’s love and grace teaches us to be more loving and compassionate toward others. We are not in the business of judging or condemning people, but welcoming and embracing others as we would want to be embraced and welcomed. All this to say, we need more love in our world. There is too much fear.
It’s been a hard week once again, listening and witnessing what is happening in our nation. There are too many challenges to list to our faith communities, our resilience, determination, and mission. Let us come together this Sunday, and worship together and listen to the wisdom from the scriptures, for encouragement, nourishment and vision as disciples of Jesus.
I came across a blessing, a prayer from A Black Rock Prayer Book A-Black-Rock-Prayer-Book-2019.pdf May it nourish your hearts and minds.
A BLESSING
The world now is too dangerous and too beautiful for anything but love.
May your eyes be so blessed you see God in everyone.
Your ears, so you hear the cry of the poor.
May your hands be so blessed that everything you touch is a sacrament.
Your lips, so you speak nothing but the truth with love.
May your feet be so blessed you run to those who need you.
And may your heart be so opened, so set on fire, that your love,
your love, changes everything.
-Brian Baker