Steven M Schisler
Sep 6, 2018 · 3 min read

When I first encountered Jesus at a Teens Encounter Christ retreat as a “youngster”, it was really still, all about me. I felt loved, accepted and valued. That’s why I followed up the retreat with youth prayer group activities, etc. As my life went on, I realized there was much more to this faith thing, this Jesus thing, as He showed me more and more during the struggles of my life that He could make a miraculous difference… and He has. The road from there to here though, was long and twisted. But at this point of my life, I’d say the rewards of following Christ in loving service to others, VASTLY outweigh the selfishness, materialism and worldliness I’ve done my best to leave behind. Right now, the peace, secure knowledge and feeling of forgiveness, mercy and love, and the guidance and friendship of God wrap me tightly in a blanket of faith security. But even when life is tough, I know it is passing and Eternal Glory with Christ awaits.

In our readings today (1 COR 3:18–23, LK 5:1–11) St. Paul says, “So let no one boast about human beings, for everything belongs to you,… the world or life or death, or the present or the future: all belong to you, and you to Christ, and Christ to God.” In our Gospel, Jesus asks Simon to take Him out a short distance from shore to speak to the crowd following Him. Simon obliges and Jesus then further invites Him to go out deeper and cast out the nets. Simon does and catches a HUGE amount of fish, needing help from another boat even to haul them in. Simon urges Jesus to leave him for he is a “sinful man”, recognizing the miracle and his own unworthiness. At Jesus’ invitation to fish for men, a much deeper commitment, Simon, James and John left everything and followed Him.

In the clear waters of the Sea of Galilee, fishermen drop their nets during the night, the only time the fish come up from the deep darkness to feed. Simon recognized by the huge catch that something unnatural had just happened…something miraculous even. Taking this itinerant preacher out to speak so they could listen while they cleaned and repaired their nets from the night before was no big deal (a little entertainment perhaps), but then dropping the nets again in the full daylight again to go through all that work again (probably for nothing) was. Leaving everything behind to follow Jesus was exponentially bigger! But they treasured the prize so much more…

When we first encounter Jesus, it often involves little on our part. If we desire more, as we grow into deeper relationship with Him, He asks for more and deeper commitment and effort. For this effort and commitment, we are richly rewarded in faith and Eternal Life. But there is a cost we must be prepared to pay… sometimes promotions or jobs, maybe family or friends, sleeping in or free time, material possessions or bigger houses and cars, or selfish pleasures and vacations and so on, but in reality, everything we have including our time, belongs to God. And if we belong to Him, everything along with us does too, like St. Paul said. So it doesn’t matter if it’s money, time or talent we offer to God in grateful appreciation… it is all His anyway. It doesn’t matter if it’s the time and effort to drop the nets like Simon, or if it’s getting up early on Sunday and tithing our ten percent… the rewards Jesus offers are Eternal Life and worth it! The reward VASTLY outweighs the price! Peace and All Good, my friends!

Steven M Schisler

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Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Catholic Deacon, Secular Franciscan, Outdoorsman, Adventurer, Retired/Disabled Electrician/Field Superintendent/Project Manager/Vice-Pres