Fish Tales

Photo by Anja@Pixbay

 I laughed when I read the title of Thursday’s devotion in Living Faith, A Fish Tale.

Coming on the heels of the No Fishing post last week and Jonah and the Whale before that, it seems God is utilizing a new theme.

Humor aside, this fish tale is sending a beautiful message. In the listed Gospel reading, Luke 5: 1-11, Jesus tells Simon to draw his ship out into the deep water and cast his net out again. Simon replied,  “Master, we have labored all the night and have taken nothing, but at thy word I let down the net.”  

When the net broke from the large catch of fish, Simon dropped to his knees at the feet of Jesus. “Depart from me for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”

Rather than departing, Jesus called him to be his disciple. 

Jesus looks beyond our sinfulness too, calling us to fish for love, compassion, forgiveness, and divine friendship. We join Simon/Peter in casting our nets of faith out to others through our example. 

As the author, Paul Pennick, wrote in his meditation, “There will be days when the fishing is very good. Have faith.”

Here’s to a bounty of fish tales.

Amen.