Hooked

I remember as a young boy, fishing in Penny Pack Creek just about every day in the summer. In those polluted waters was a beast, a huge carp, whom we named Bubba. A fish just too big to catch and reel in for us, too smart too, but yet he was the ultimate prize that summer.

Occasionally we hooked him, but every time you hooked Bubba and tried to bring him in, he would snap the line, and a few fishing poles left unguarded followed Bubba in the water.  Still, every day, some of us would bring our lunch and fish all day, just for an opportunity to catch this monster.

One day, I got to my favorite fishing spot before anyone else arrived.  I had been able to save some money and bought some stronger fishing line for my reel.  And it worked, after I hooked this monster, I struggled and fought it and was able to reel Bubba in. 

He was huge, the largest fish I had ever caught.  I was so proud of myself holding Bubba in my arms.   Yes, I was Jumping for joy, and couldn’t wait for the others to come to share my excitement with me. 

I kept waiting, but no one came. They’re always here by now. I looked at this huge fish, and Bubba was beginning to show signs of dying, being out of the water for so long.  I couldn’t let this fish die, this famous icon. So, I brought it to the bank of the creek and let it go. It struggled at first, then swam away immediately.

Sure enough, some friends arrived to fish for Bubba. It was a long wait, but finally, I could tell someone my great news.  I remember shouting in excitement, “caught the monster, caught Bubba”.  No one believed me, regardless of how many times I told them.  They wanted proof, and I had none, for the fish was gone.  If only Bubba could come back and tell them.

Remembering that story made me think. Maybe Jesus must have felt that way during his three years of proclaiming His Word. No one seemed to believe Him either, And, he tried so hard using stories and analogies.  Even with all the miracles, his humility, all of his good deeds, so many still didn’t believe he was the Son of God. They took it a step further, they crucified Him.

But we are believers, each of us to a different degree.  Even though we believe, some of us sometimes become lukewarm in our faith, and our branch on the vine begins to wither.  We begin to lose faith and trust. St. Paul tells us we must keep our eyes on the finish line, and to run the race as to win. In other words, regardless of the obstacles, the circumstances, and even though Churches are closed, we must keep faith, for there is a prize well worth waiting for.

“What eye did not see and ear, did not hear, and what never entered the human mind-- God prepared this for those who love Him”. For all who finish with God in their heart, the prize, the heavenly reward, is eternal life with all the saints before us.

Our world is in chaos, and sometimes I think many  of us are so much like Bubba, the fish in that polluted water. We need to be hooked and God wants nothing more than to catch us. And when he does, he brings us to shore and hugs us and feeds our spirit. It is only then he will tell us, “I will make you fishers of men”. Then we become the true fishermen of God, casting our nets and spreading his Word, fishing for lost souls in our polluted world. Bringing inner peace to people in a changing world.

For that we must believe and build for ourselves a strong foundation of faith. Yes, today’s world makes it so easy to struggle. And so, we pray, we sacrifice, we do all we can to be faithful followers of Jesus. For those who are sinking, whose faith is fading in murky waters, we must be their anchor.

Can you imagine if we all had the great love and excitement for Jesus that Mary Magdalene had upon finding our Lord? She had to share, and in her excitement and with true happiness she proclaims to the world, “I have seen the Lord.” There are fish out there we can help.