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Third Sunday of the
Epiphany
January 22, 2006
Sermon by Rev. Sue Deetz, Deacon
Readings
Andrew lived in one of those
fishing villages on the shores of the beautiful Sea of Galilee. There
were at least 16 of them around the lake, as fish were plentiful. It was
said there were 23 different kinds of fish in the lake, the best known
is what we call the St. Peters fish, can be as large as 3 ½ lbs. Fishing
was a major industry, it was a way of life in that part of the world.
Andrew ran a small fishing operation along with numerous relatives, and
a few hired hands. During the 1st Century, it wasn't a free enterprise
system where individuals could buy a license and work alone. Like the
other operations, he didn't own the boats, he rented them from the
brokers. It was a hard life, long hours, dangerous work, and storms
quickly whipped up in the shallow lake, giving the fishermen little time
to seek harbor. He made just enough to keep the food on the table and a
roof over his head. It wasn't easy keeping up with all the tolls, and
taxes on the catch. The year before had seen record catches, but he
didn't see the profits from the surplus, they all went to the Roman
authorities. They held tight controls on the earnings. Andrew's neighbor
was one of those who collected his fish tax before they could be
processed, he in turn, paid the next level of tax collectors. While they
were not friends, Andrew didn't really blame his neighbor, he was just
doing his job, trying to feed his family, too. Those who doled out the
profits were far away in Capernaum, Jerusalem or other inland towns.
Andrew and his brother Simon didn't have the means or interest to
question it, the fishing business had been in their family for
generations.
The brothers didn't leave the village much. It wasn't a prudent thing to
do, as the dangers out in the wilderness were plenty. In fact, Andrew
had never been to any of the towns inland. He spent his leisure with
family members mostly. A while back, the village had been visited by a
man named John, they called him the baptizer because he did a lot of
that. But Andrew was intrigued by what John was saying. He talked of the
coming of the Lord, one coming OF God, to walk among us, and He was
coming soon. Being a Jew, Andrew was not surprised, all his life he been
prepared for this time. Like most of his family and neighbors, he didn't
follow the Law to every detail (people in that area were known to be a
bit liberal), but had great faith, and he knew the stories of the
ancestors.
Last night a man came walking into town, he brought news of John's
arrest, and began proclaiming the Good News, he said the kingdom of God
was here, the claims of the prophets have been fulfilled. He talked of
how great God is, and how when we live our lives in the wonder of the
ONE God, we would reflect that love back on each other. He said he was
Jesus and he was among them all now holding up that mirror. Andrew was
moved to speak with him afterwards, he introduced himself, talked a bit,
and immediately knew life would be somehow different from now on. He
left wondering, what must I do?
The next day dawned clear, with the hot sun beating down. Andrew and his
brother Simon had gotten an early start, just getting ready to cast
their net into the sea, when he saw Jesus calling them from the shore.
Something leaped in his stomach yet he knew he must go. He looked around
at the rest of the crew and the other boats in his group, gave a thumbs
up signal, and leaving the net, climbed ashore with his brother Simon.
Jesus said he'd make them fishers of people. Although his call to repent
sounded daunting, something about those fishing words encouraged them to
go with their hearts, and use their own individual God given gifts in
this task. Simon saw himself hosting fish frys along the route,
spreading the Word. Andrew felt those long discussions in the fishing
boats talking about Moses, Abraham, and the like would come in handy
here. Pretty soon, they saw James and his brother John come ashore.
Zebedee looked a bit shocked standing in the boat, nets still in hand.
They were on their way now, there was no turning back, a wide open path
lay before them.
Living on the shores of this great inland sea, I was lured by a great
fish story, but as it turned out, it's the ordinariness of it all that
makes it real. This could happen here, in fact, it does happen here.
It's looking at whether we respond or not that unsettles us. It
seems that Jesus wasted no time bringing the Good News right into our
lives- into our homes, families, and places of employment. Andrew,
Simon, James and John were just ordinary fishermen going about their
business, next thing you know, they are in the wilderness, preaching the
Word.
I think about Zebedee standing there in the boat, nets still in hand. He
and the others must carry on, shorthanded. Maybe Jesus had words with
them too, maybe he said, "Your part here is to tend to the needs in your
own village, your own fleet, people here need to be fed. James and John
may have children that need a grandfather."
We are all called to do God's work, whether it be in our own community,
or far from home. We may not be fishers, but we may be healers,
cleaners, growers, or grandparents raising our grandchildren. Just as
the disciples were called again and again, we are called again and
again.
I leave this story by the Sea with two questions:
What are we called to do?
and
Do we heed the call?
Amen