We all have something to learn - September 26

Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 89:1-18; PM Psalm 89:19-52; Hosea 2:14-23; Acts 20:17-38; Luke 5:1-11

There is certainly a deeply embedded theological truth about the power of God in today’s Gospel message, but the story also provides some practical wisdom too.  Simon and some of the other disciples are gathered on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. They have been fishing all night and are washing their equipment before putting it away. They know about their craft and how to take care of what provides their source of living.  I’m guessing they are better at catching fish than most of us.  I certainly wouldn’t be giving out advice.

And so, they get into the boat with the ragged carpenter/itinerate preacher, and Jesus teaches them something about fishing.  Luke’s description of this miracle is “they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break.”  People from other boats had to come and help them rake in their catch. The story certainly points to another miracle and just how special Jesus is, helping the reader to understand why the disciples would drop everything to follow him.  But a very simple truth is also conveyed – we all have something to learn. 

Here are fishermen, masters of their craft, learning about fishing from a carpenter. It might be a miracle, but it exposes a fundamental truth about humanity – we all have something to learn.  And sometimes it can be enormously beneficial to broaden our horizons and to look for teachers and mentors who have nothing to do with our professions or don’t run in our social circles.  It’s about leading with a sense of humility because every person could be a teacher in some new way.

I have struggling last week with the profoundly difficult message in the Gospel proclaimed at most churches yesterday.  In Luke chapter 16, a rich man finds himself in eternal anguish begging to be relieved by the poor beggar he avoided his entire earthly life. The rich man calls out in his pain, “Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames (Luke 16:24b).”  The poor beggar who the rich man has failed to see all throughout his life, has something to offer him that will change his life.  In a more generous approach to this difficult passage, I’m wondering who I am missing in my life, and what they have to offer for my own healing, growth, and wellbeing in this world.

Without a doubt, our Gospel for today is about the power of God, but we also must be open to learning from those we may not have seen value before.  Who can teach us what it means to be a faithful person – a carpenter, a wandering nomad, a friend, a child, a coworker, the marginalized teenager, the radical? 

John+

Questions for Self-Reflection: When has someone taught you something and you weren’t expecting it?  Did you realize it then or much later?  What role does that person play in your life now?

Daily Challenge: Identify someone in your proximity that you want to learn from.  Pick someone younger than you to make it a challenge.