Fisher of Men

I'm reading a great book by Bob Rice called "Between the Savior and the Sea."  It is a fiction story that follows Peter and the other apostles as they begin to follow Jesus and it offers great reflection as to what they possibly were thinking or feeling as they were called to be fishers of men.

As a semi English nerd who loves to analyze literature and as a devout Catholic - this book is beautiful. Its well written, easy to understand, and puts a face on a very familiar character filling his head with emotions and thoughts. Its great for reflection and to just read.

I'm not too far into the book (about 100 pages into the 300) but the beginning portion focused on Jesus meeting his potential apostles, getting to know them and then the choosing of the 12. The scene of the choosing was a small climax, with characters full of anxiety, excitement, tears, and emotions. After hearing that Gospel hundreds of times, I never sat down and thought about how that story would have played out in real life.

But one inanimate character that I am particularly interested in is the sea. As a fisherman Peter and the Sea have a love hate relationship - Peter needs the sea, but also despises its temperament and inconsistency. 

As Peter walks to the hill where Jesus is about to choose his Apostles, he looks at the sea. The sea says two things to him that are very important it says, "Surely you have received enough, isn't it selfish to want more?" and the next line, "Jesus could tak you away from here, isn't it safer to stay?"

The sea metaphor of dropping everything we have, and following Jesus is beautiful. And in the book we see Peter struggle with complete self abandonment in following Jesus. We too all struggle with giving everything to Jesus. And the sea's words to Peter identify what specifically we struggle with - Shame, and fear.

Many times the devil brings us to shame - You are too selfish. Why do you think YOU would be an apostle?  Are you kidding me? You're just a fisherman, why would Jesus want you?
What Peter was struggling with is the same thing that we struggle with. We assume that Jesus follows human thought, but what we forget, and what Peter was learning was that Jesus is more than just human, he is also Divine. That his mercy covers our shame, and he sees the light inside of us when we fail to recognize it.

Other times the devil brings us to fear - This is what you know Peter. If you didn't have the sea, what would you do? How would you live? It isn't worth the risk. Just stay here.
We too are fearful and hesitant to trust in the Lord. What happens if I quit my job that is immoral - then what? I can't stand up for that value, what would everyone think? Its safer to be here then to go out on a limb. I'll just be here and coast. 

But just as Peter accepted Jesus' call, we must also cast aside our shame and fear to do the same. There are tons of objects, comforts, situations that call us to stay the same, to coast, that shame us into thinking we are not worthy of anything. 

So think, what is in in our lives that call out to us ... "Isn't it selfish of you? Isn't it safer to stay?" Identify the shame and the fear, and then, like Peter, humbly accept the call.

Jesus wants to do great things with you, he knows you can do it. 
Join him, become a fisher of men.