The other side of the boat

 

I’ve been seriously reading—and reflecting on—Scripture for a little over 12 years now.  So one would think that my reflections would start to repeat themselves.  That’s the funny thing about Scriptures—I can read the same passage five or six times and the Holy Spirit will take my mind to a completely new interpretation each time.  Every once in a while, there’s an interpretation that makes me chuckle.  I found myself amused today as I started to read the fifth chapter of Luke’s Gospel. (Luke 5:1-11).

Jesus: “Put down your nets for a catch.”

Simon Peter: “Master, we have been hard at it all night and have caught nothing.”

Jesus: “Try the other side of the boat.”

Didn’t anybody ever tell the “carpenter” that the two sides of a boat aren’t very far apart?  I know from experience that if you can’t get fish on one side you won’t get them on the other side either.  For all this carpenter knew about fishing, if he made a good catch he’d probably make an “X” on the bottom of the boat, so he’d know just where that spot was! 

My starting point in reflecting on this gospel passage was, “Jesus didn’t seem to know much about catching people either.  Just look at some of the people He invited to do the fishing!”  But the fact is, He absolutely knew who He was calling!  I realized if Jesus wanted it done well, He certainly wouldn’t ask me.  He ‘d find someone better; more loving, more prayerful, more articulate, less selfish, less proud, less attached to a comfortable life, less sinful--certainly someone holier than I am.  “Depart from me, O Lord, for I am a sinner.”

When we say those same words to Jesus that Simon Peter uttered, it just goes in one ear and out the other.  Jesus isn’t after Superman or Wonder Woman.  He’s after you and me.  My sinfulness doesn’t scare Him off or make me untouchable.  In fact, my very sinfulness, my lack of love, my pitiful prayer life--in other words, my humanity--allows me to be compassionate.  When I’m in touch with my own weakness, I tend to be less judgmental about the weakness of others, more welcoming of others in their weakness, and so more able to catch them for Jesus.

And when I know my own sin, I can more easily recognize that any success I have in catching others for Christ is not because I’m so terrific, but because Jesus has done a terrific job of working in me and through me.

Give thanks to the Lord with joyful song; let all the earth sing praise.  (Psalm 98:4)