Haul

Rhona Cathcart August 20, 2022 0 2

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Luke 5: 6-7 (NRSVA)

6 When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. 7 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.

I have read the story of Jesus calling the fisherman Simon Peter to follow him many times.

But I’m not sure I ever noticed before that in verse seven it says they caught so many fish that the boats began to sink. You can have too much of a good thing, right?

They seem to have landed them safely though, possibly because Simon had the good sense to involve his fishing partners James and John.

It occurs to me that this isn’t just a story about calling. It’s a story about divine abundance and human teamwork, and how together they are an unbeatable force.

An unbeatable force is one way to describe the wee team at my church who have decided to host a Climate Matters festival weekend in October. I have been astonished how much they have achieved in the last few weeks (with very little input from me, as I’ve been on annual leave) and how many folks in our local community are interested in being part of it.

Most of us recognise that we are in a time of climate crisis. It’s going to need a lot of human teamwork and a trust in the abundance of God to change the course of events so that our grandchildren and their grandchildren can enjoy the things we have taken for granted for too long.

Let’s not despair. The nets of our efforts might look empty at the moment, but cast them with confidence where Jesus directs, and then grab all the partners you can to share in God’s bounty!

PRAYER:

Generous God

We began the week appreciating how Jesus can help lighten our burdens.

We end with a cry of ‘more please!’

Cast the heavy net of your grace over us,

Let it sink into our bones

Let it weigh us down, not with weariness, but with an abundance of gifts.

Let us haul in love. Let us haul in joy. Let us haul in peace and patience.

Let us haul in kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

And let us do it together.

In Christ’s good and holy name. Amen.