GONE FISHING

We went fishing that balmy spring day and caught not a thing all morning. 

Just like the apostles went fishing we were frustrated as cast after cast yielded not one fish. Later our catch was much better - just like the apostles, we caught more fish than we needed..

The apostles at Lake Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee though, benefitted by having Jesus tell them to cast their nets in the direction he specified and that is when their nets were overloaded with more fish than they could haul in.

Look at us now, we who follow Christ's instructions have billions of followers of our Messiah, Jesus Christ. Nearly a third of the world population claim to believe in Jesus. He, Jesus Christ, has once again filled our nets to overflowing.We might imagine the fish caught by the Apostles were of many varieties, just as there are many varieties of followers of Christ.

It is too easy that we can see differences between us and not grasp that Our Father Who Are in Heaven created the many varities according to His Will. We would be well advised to not pre-judge His children. Christ's salvation was sent, through His Apostles, to all nations. The nations are comprised of different ways of being and appearance, but are one in being with God.  They are united in a single commandment: Love God, and love your neighbor as yourself.

"Love your neighbor.", but who is our neighbor. Our neighbor, as at least two Aramaic scholars point out, consist of people including even our enemies. So, how do we keep such a commandment?

We need to avoid accusing, while not excusing.

Jesus did not condemn, He forgave, even from His Cross in the throes of His last breaths. 'Forgive them Father for they do not know what they do.'

Jesus did not excuse bad behavior, He said, to the woman at the well, 'You are right, you have no husband. Go, and sin no more.'

When we followers of Christ hear the instruction — Go forth and proclaim the Word, we need to follow Jesus's example by imitating Christ, by loving our enemies as we love ourselves, and, by admonishing against sin. 

I think we can leave the rod at home, wear a smile, and set a good example, if we will to do so. It is God's Will. He said so.