Fishing nets made of twine.

 

Flax seed scattered on the earth, watered by the rain, and warmed by the sun

burst forth into new life. The fields turn green as the leaves burgeon, then ripple like sky blue silk as the summer breezes blow. The plants are harvested, processed and become thread some of which is woven into fine linen and some twisted into ropes and twine.

 

Fishermen use the twine to make their fishing nets made of twine.

 

Fishing boats built mainly of cedar and oak 26 feet long by 7 feet wide large enough for fifteen people but usually crewed by five leaving room for the nets and the catch. Fishing boats sailing on the Sea of Galilee, or bobbing alongside the harbour at Capernaum. Fish, mainly sardines and St Peter's fish for eating, drying and processing, will be caught in the Fishing nets made of twine.

 

Fishermen on the quayside in Capernaum, making and mending, washing and drying, folding and casting their nets. Fishermen strong and muscular, bronzed by the sun and the wind. Strong men who know how to work together as a team. Fishermen who are considered ritually unclean by the religious authorities because of their work handling and gutting the fish.

Like the shepherds, they have no time or facilities to cleanse themselves - only their Fishing nets made of twine.

 

The light of the world has come to Capernaum to the darkness of the people's lives. Jesus strolls along the quayside. He passes the toll booth, where Matthew is selling fishing licences and collecting taxes on the catch. He sees the fishermen working on their boats and their nets. Fishermen, who know the tides and the times; Fishermen who know how to work together as a team; Fishermen - who better to help him as he begins his ministry?

Simon and Andrew, casting their nets, James and John, mending their nets.

These 2 pairs of brothers already work together collectively, Jesus calls them to follow him and to leave their Fishing nets made of twine.

 

So Jesus comes to us as we go about our daily life, in our homes or our workplaces - Policeman or teacher, shop assistant or road sweeper, cooking  and gardening - are we ready to hear his call, leave what we are doing, and follow him? We too are immersed in our work, our homes and our families. When Jesus passes by and calls, we have a choice - to follow or to stay. He calls us to follow him - to use our gifts and our abilities, whether flower-arranging, cleaning, coffee-making, singing or whatever, and follow him,

and not to stay imprisoned, figuratively bound hand and feet in Fishing nets made of twine.