Title:  Fishermen

Francois Sieberhagen

As Jesus walked along the shore of Lake Galilee, he saw two fishermen, Simon and his brother Andrew, catching fish with a net. Jesus said to them, “Come with me, and I will teach you to catch people.”  Mark 1: 16-17

The mighty Congo River provides many opportunities to take magnificent photographs.  The river is not a bright blue colour as you might have expected but it is still spectacular and majestic.  It flows rapidly, strong and broad.  You stand in awe of the big mass of water running past you.

At Maluka we sit next to the river.  I take photos.  In front of me is a young boy, his name is Roger Lola.  He is trying to fish with a piece of gut tied to a long piece of bamboo.  He uses a wooden boat to stand in so that he can cast his line a bit deeper.

The picture I captured was that of a boy that looks like he is fishing, without a care in the world.  But the bigger picture of the circumstances that this boy has to work and live in, are hidden from me.  By the look of his clothing it is evident that these circumstances can’t be easy.

When we look back in the history of Jesus calling his disciples, we realise that the pictures available are also limited.  Still, something stands out.  They were average people called to use the skills they learnt in one trade, in another.  They were to become fishermen of people.  They were to “catch” people for Jesus and His kingdom.

This may sound romantic, but we know it is not that simple.  To reach out to people, to evangelize people is not that easy.  This task asks for much love, patience and true friendship.  It means you have to continue amidst set backs and you should not lose hope.  You have to keep reaching out again and again.

The challenge for us is to be obedient to our calling to be witnesses.  We have to be true through the way we go about each day and in this way try and “catch” people for the Kingdom of God.

Prayer: Lord, here I am.  Use me as a fisherman of people.  Amen.