JOHN 21:4-5
It was a disappointing night for a group of professional fishermen—they were empty
-handed. Don’t you hate it when that happens? But in the midst of their frustration Jesus
presented a new proposition: “Cast the net to the right side of the boat.” And with these
words, the beginning of a new a world for the disciples unfolded. Their lives were forever
changed. Their vision of the world and of themselves was profoundly transformed. They
were inspired and equipped to present a new way of life based upon a message of neverending
love. These fishermen by profession became fishers of men through a calling.
And so from that point on they told the story of their personal encounters with a man of
Nazareth who they profoundly believed was the Christ. Their account changed lives, and
their story altered the course of history.
After thousands of years, Christians continue to navigate through oceans and seas
where we encounter family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and so forth. The question
today is, are we casting the nets on the right side of the boat? Are we casting the nets at
all? Are we sharing the story of the living Christ convincingly as did the disciples before
us? Our world is immersed in an ocean of spiritual disconnect and the hurt that comes
with it speaks volumes. We are being challenged to search for divine direction and engage
in an introspective exercise, one that prompts self-evaluation. Who are we as Christians
and what purpose do we serve? It has become obvious that a complacent or an indifferent
church can never address effectively a fragmented world. It is our calling to take a second
look at our understanding of the vision and the mission statements. These programmatic
tools become relevant when we identify ourselves with the Resurrected one and the cause
for which he died. This is about changing course and meeting people where they are.
Perhaps if our vision is clear enough we may discover that changing course from inconsequential
faith communities to an invigorating and relevant church, inspired and propelled
by the Spirit into the vastness possibilities of Christ, may result in experiencing a
connectedness to newness of life. Wouldn’t this be a wonderful gift to the world?
The same Resurrected who called upon the disciples then calls upon us today to cast
our eyes on the ocean and identify the needs and address the hurt. But he also dares us to
cast our souls to the sea in search of vision and purpose in ministry. As we journey
through the Lenten season, the world and its spiritual crisis press upon believers of Christ
to move out from the comfort zone and engage in a divine enterprise for which we have
been called and by which we live.
Prayer: God, help me navigate the oceans of indifference and land on the shores
of deep compassion for my neighbors. Help me cast my net on the right side of
the boat…help me cast my net, period.
Amen.
Reuben Negron is an ordained minister in the Disciples of Christ, Hospice
Chaplain, and moderator of Alianza de Lideres y Pastores
Hispanoamericanos (ALPHA) of CCNC-N.