Gone Fishing: Catch or No Catch

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Father Joe

There is something very conducive to meditation about fishing and boating. One is always prepared for the surprise of the catch; but one could also enter a trance by looking at the light reflecting on the moving water. I knew one fellow who regularly fished at a small mountain lake. However, it was common knowledge that there were no fish stocked in the lake. When asked why he engaged in such a futile occupation, he said that he was not even partial to fish, but enjoyed the activity itself. It enabled a link with nature and the God of nature. He could reflect deeply about his life, the things that mattered and invite God to communicate through the stillness and silence. It allowed him to get away from the noise and busy-ness of the world, so that he might better commune with God. I have something of the same appreciation of fishing, both in a real boat and in the ark that is the Church. We might not even be good fishermen, but the real work belongs to God. When the disciples had fished all night, catching nothing; our Lord sent them out again and directed them in throwing out their nets. It was then that they made their catch and found their nets at the bursting point. However, even if nothing is caught, the spiritual fisherman can take solace in doing as he is told. God does not demand that we be successful, only that we be faithful.