5 Epiphany, 4 February 2001

"Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" we pray. Can you think of a more noble, more satisfying, more vibrant quest in life than to find God's will for your life? I dare to say that each of us, listening to these words from scripture today, have our own stories to tell about finding God's will for our life.

I am going to use today's Gospel story with some poetic license. Taking a few descriptive words from Luke, let's use our imagination, let's allow the spirit to use our imagination to learn how this fish story from the 1st century can touch our lives, and our quest to know and do God's will.

As the story opens, Jesus is "standing beside the lake." Let us understand that Jesus is where we live.

As we picture Jesus standing beside the lake (a workplace for some, a place of lounging for others) we remember other stories and their locations: he shows up at the tax collection booth; the last two weeks we heard how it was his custom to worship in the synagogue, we remember he worshipped and taught at the Temple as well. He shows up frequently where there is food -- wedding parties, living rooms, dining rooms, camp fires. He shows up between places: on the road to Emmaus, on the road to Damascus, on the road between Jericho and Jerusalem. He shows up at death beds and grave sides.

Expect to encounter Jesus everywhere and anywhere.

Climbing into Simon's boat he asks him to put out a little way. Let us understand that Jesus often begins revealing God's will in our lives in little ways. This is the story of scripture and this is how I read Jesus' work in my own life and in the lives of many men, women, boys, and girls whose lives have been joined to mine in this and other places.

Abram was first asked to leave family and fields to receive God's promise. He was asked to be patient for the son to be born. When the son was born God asked Abraham to sacrifice him. Gideon was hiding his work from the Midianites for fear. God, as you heard, got his attention. By the time the story ends, Gideon is one of God's heroes. The first request was that he not be afraid, more followed.

You remember Sean Cox? He and I worked together way back in 1985. He was in high school. With many others I asked him to consider becoming a priest as he moved into adulthood and his life's work. It was a simple, sometimes tongue-in-cheek, encouragement. But it opened the way.

Expect Jesus to make small requests (that grow larger as you grow stronger).

We hear that Jesus sat in the boat and "taught the crowds." Let us understand that Jesus is our teacher.

This is so obvious, why say it? I tell you again that Jesus is our teacher because like so much that is familiar and routine in our lives, it can easily be taken for granted. Over and over Jesus is presented as teaching all who will hear him. The gospel accounts collect for us the best of his sayings and teachings. Jesus' teaching is a treasure we have received; it is a treasure we delight in and it is a treasure we are asked to hand on to our children and grandchildren.

Expect Jesus to continue to teach you.

Done teaching, Jesus makes a second request of Simon and quickly a third request: put out to deep water, lower your nets. Let us understand (as hinted before) Jesus will ask us for more when we are ready.

Simon's journey is instructive here. First he is invited: "Follow me." Then he is asked to learn from Jesus. Part way into the learning Simon, we imagine, is part of the 72 that go out to heal and teach and invite repentance. Simon is asked, along with the others, to love as Jesus loved. Simon is asked, to feed Jesus' flock. Simon, with the others is asked to go into the whole world teaching and proclaiming and baptizing. Ultimately, Simon is asked to give his life for the love and service of God.

As they were able, more was asked. Over the centuries this has been God's way. This has been the way to discovery of God's will in our lives. Faithfulness and obedience in small things that continue to grow larger as we grow stronger. Mother Teresa, a hero to many of us, did not start out with a selfless ministry to the poorest of the poor. But as she grew stronger, God was with her, asking her for more, and at the right moment he asked for her to start the ministry among the poorest of the poor, and she did.

Expect Jesus to ask more of you as you grow stronger.

Simon and his buddies caught many fish. Let us understand that Jesus will not be outdone in giving.

Think of it. He fed thousands with five loaves and two fish (and their were left overs). He healed all who came to him. He did not merely release the man from paralysis, but also forgave his sins. He was not merely a comfort to those who were bereaved, he raised their loved ones to new life. He didn't just speak words of love and peace, he gave his life for love of us.

Expect Jesus to give you more of what is good and loving than you can ask or imagine

Jesus speaks to Simon who is kneeling at his feet: do not be afraid, from now on you will be catching people. Let us understand that Jesus can see us at our best, can see us doing God's will, can see us adding our work to his in the building of the kingdom.

Jesus saw in Simon and James and John, not fishermen, but apostles upon which he could build his church. Jesus saw not a threat breathing Pharisee in Saul, not an enemy, but an ally, he saw his greatest apostle. Jesus sees in us, not the flawed man or the incomplete woman we may picture, not the great sinner, or the reluctant disciple, but he sees us as our very best doing God's will, building the kingdom: as singer or musician or priest or custodian or server of food and cleaner of bathrooms. He sees us at our very best teaching, or learning, or sharing or leading or healing, or driving a group of teens to a retreat.

Do not be afraid he says to Simon, do not be afraid he says to you and me. Let our Lord strength you for the unique ministry that is yours.

As we know, Simon also known as Peter, went forward a step or two, and then backwards, and then sideways in his attempt to Jesus' bidding—and so will we—but we celebrate him because over a life time he attempted great things for God, and God blessed his efforts and his obedience.

Expect Jesus to see us, our talents, our abilities, and our community in the best light. Expect Jesus to invite you to work to your God given potential.

In short: Expect great things from God; attempt great things with God. Amen.

The Rev. Daniel Rondeau
drondeau@stmargarets.org
4 February 2001