Entering the Deeper Waters

The beautiful artwork above is an image of Jacopo Bassano's The Miraculous Draught of Fishes, completed in 1545. It recalls the gospel scene from Luke 5:1-11 which we discussed in our class last week.
Very early in his ministry, Jesus is being followed by a large crowd of people eager to hear the word of God. While he is standing on the lakeshore, the people press in on him so much that he climbs into one of the fishing boats there by the shore, which is empty because the fishermen are cleaning their nets after finishing work. This particular boat belongs to Simon. Jesus beckons Simon and asks him maneuver the boat away from the shore; Jesus then sits down and teaches the crowd from the boat. When he is finished he turns again to Simon, and directs him to "put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." The fisherman protests that they have been fishing all night and caught nothing; nevertheless, he will do as Jesus asks. Simon and his fishing partner (likely his brother Andrew) catch so many fish that their nets begin to break! They signal to their companions in the other boat, James and John, to join them in the deeper waters and help to receive the catch. Bassano's painting captures an overwhelmed Simon (now referred to as "Simon Peter ") kneeling before Jesus exclaiming, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" Jesus however, does not leave, instead directing Simon not be afraid, for from now on he will be "catching people." When the fishermen come to shore, they "left everything and followed him."
In Luke's gospel, this is the calling of Jesus' first disciples. Notice that at the beginning, he is preaching the word to everyone who wants to listen. But then he calls Simon in a very particular way, asking him to serve and to take risks on behalf of the good news.
(1) Every week we hear the Word of God preached. But what comes next? How does God's word speak specifically to you? And how do you respond as a disciple?
(2) Jesus calls Simon to venture into the "deep water." How will you and I explore the "deeper waters" of faith? What kinds of questions do you have that will require deeper study and thought? In what ways do you think Jesus is calling you to risk new experiences in serving him?
(3) Simon Peter confesses his sin, but that in no way disqualifies him in Jesus' eyes. Jesus will now teach him how to "catch people." What do you think Jesus means by that? How does he take talents we already have and show us how to use them in news ways, so that we can glorify God? Is this different from "work?"
At this point in the Confirmation Journey, we are entering deeper waters of growth and discipleship. With the twelve of you, this is a great blessing!

Growing With Jesus

"And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor."

--Luke 2:52

(This is a reflection from the 2007-08 Confirmation Class)

Tucked at the end of the second chapter of Luke's gospel, extending from the narrative of Jesus' birth, is the one account we have of Jesus growing from a child into an adult. He is twelve years old and accompanies his family on the yearly pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. When the family returns home toward Nazareth in the north, Jesus stays in Jerusalem. Realizing his absence, his frantic parents return to the holy city and--after searching three days--they discover Jesus sitting among the teachers, "listening and asking them questions." "And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers." The anxious Mary and Joseph overflow with angry emotion (and a great deal of relief). The young Jesus responds that it shouldn't have been such a puzzle: Don't they know that he needs to be in this place of spiritual nurture ? That he is a part of God's family? His parents don't understand what he means at first, but Mary later treasures the depth of the journey and the life of her son that is unfolding.
The Jesus of Luke 2:41-52 is roughly Confirmation-age. I asked the members of the 2008 Class: What are some of ways you want to grow with Jesus? Their responses were thoughtful and sensitive: "to grow in kindness and generosity, like Jesus;" "learning to do the right thing, especially when its hard to do;" maturing in their ability to be "helpful and cooperative" with other people; to "become wiser," which will require ongoing learning.
One said that she wanted to follow Jesus the best way that she could, to learn to be like him as much as possible, but that it is hard sometimes because he is "perfect" and we are not. Giving voice to this joy and struggle of discipleship was an important contribution for her to make and provided that class with a wonderful opportunity.
We acknowledged that "perfection," in our understanding, usually means "flawless" or "unattainable." But I was able to tell the young people that the Greek word translated "perfect" in the New Testament is teleois; it means "whole" or "complete," rather than flawless. The life of Jesus offers the promise of "wholeness" and the experience of "completion," even when we have experienced brokenness in our lives.. Jesus is "fully human," and we are called to the fulfillment of our God-given humanity, in all its wonder and difficulty. The light of Jesus can illuminate wonders in our lives that we have been unaware of or have paid little attention to, and our ongoing growth throughout life becomes the promise of God full-filled!
One of the class members said that flawlessness is "not a good thing," because we "learn from our mistakes." Wow! No mistakes could equal no learning. There's some insight! Flawlessness might even be boring. (That brought an "Amen!" from the pastor). When you think of our lives as an artistic endeavor (we are God's artwork, and in a creative partnership with God) sometimes the things you didn't plan are the most interesting.
In that regard, another member of the class volunteered that she didn't see Jesus as "perfect." A "perfect" person, she thought, would be happy all of the time and would please others. The Jesus of the gospels doesn't fit the bill in either case. We even noted his troubled payer in the garden of Gethsemane. But we were able to contrast worldly notions of "perfection" with the wholeness of Jesus' life and the movement of God's ever-creative Spirit. The Jesus of the gospels does not seek to please people, but is authentic and available; he not only opens up his own humanity vulnerably to share, but he eagerly makes space to receive the humanity fo others. He is fully himself to the end, even death on the cross. Jesus lives the life of agape love completely, and makes it available to us.
I marvel and rejoice on these Wednesday evenings when the teacher becomes the student, and vice-versa. The young folks ask great questions, and move me with their understanding and inspiration. But why not? Don't I realize that they need to be in this place of spiritual nurture?
And that as they grow with Jesus, in that wisdom that God intends, they are gracious enough to invite me along. I treasure that.

The Poetry of Jesus' Coming

FIRST COMING

He did not wait till the world was ready
till men and nations were at peace.
He came when the Heavens were unsteady,
and prisoners cried out for release.

He did not wait for the perfect time.
He came when the need was deep and great.
He dined with sinners in all their grime,
turned water into wine. He did not wait

until hearts were pure. In joy he came
to a tarnished world of sin and doubt.
To a world like ours, of anguished shame
he came, and his Light would not go out.

He came to a world which did not mesh,
to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.
In the mystery of the Word made Flesh,
the Maker of the stars was born.

We cannot wait until the world is sane
to raise our songs with joyful voice,
for to share our grief, to touch our pain,
He came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!

---Madeleine L'Engle

How does L'Engle's poem give expression to the meaning of Christmas? Are there verses that hold particular meaning for you?

Her poem has several direct references to the poetry of John 1:1-18 that we read in class. Which ones do you see?

We said that Jesus shows us who God is. What does this poem say about our God?