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A Different Kind of Fisherman

Istanbul

In Istanbul In conjunction with the rising of the sun, many fishermen arise and over bridges fish into the Bosporus. Recalling back, many of us  were amazed at the mass of fishermen who were fishing the first day we arrived in Istanbul. This amazement quickly subsided as our attention was drawn upon all of the historically significant sights in Istanbul. 

Fishermen fishing for Mackerel and other fish to sell over the Golden Horn on the Bosporus

This attention however, has returned to that initial image of the fisherman. Fr. Guthrie on his last day with us in Turkey celebrated mass and preached. We were celebrating the feast of St. Andrew, and he noted how the Gospel of the day was about the calling of Peter, Andrew, James, and John. He focused on the idea that Jesus deemed it fit to build the foundation of the Church on men who were fishermen. Why?

Fr. Guthrie Celebrating mass with us one last time before he goes back to the U.S.

What makes a great fisherman? A great fisherman, needs to understand the best time to fish, something he will only come to find through observing. He needs persistence, because there will be many times he will cast out his lure and have nothing come back. Further, even when he has something on the line, he can’t pull too hard, the line will snap. He needs patience, even in the prospect of success. 

Jesus built his church on fishermen because he knew he needed patient men. Men who knew what it was like to cast out their lines full of hope, only to come back empty handed and go to sleep on an empty stomach. He needed observant men who in conjunction with the Holy Spirit could prudently and effectively preach the gospel. Both in word and through the simplicity of their life.  

Hunter, Fr. Kasule, and Josh enjoying our Bosporus boat Tour

Therefore, as we made our way back to Istanbul and experienced a slower day, there was a space to deeply reflect on the reality of the fisherman. This was magnified as we got to do a boat tour of the city over the Bosporus. Personally, as the tumult of the waves hit the boat, and I gazed at the city I admired the resilience of these men and further the Christians in the city. 

It is not an easy thing to be a Christian in Turkey. Of the thousands of miles we covered in our 2 weeks in Turkey, I can count on my hand the number of Christian churches we encountered. It was such a gift to celebrate mass in a Church on this day. In many ways back home we speak of Christian solidarity and unity and we work towards it, and admittedly experience varying degrees of it. Here however, there is a sense where you feel compelled to be united, to not be feels a commodity. 

What happens when the fisherman grows tired of casting his net? What if he begins to see it as a chore? Jesus says, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Mt 4:19). May it be so, may we never tire of coming after Jesus. May we do so all the days of our lives. 

May the peace of Christ be with you,
Jonathan Hernandez, Diocese of Joliet 

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