God's Fishing Pier

The Commonwealth’s Division of Marine Fisheries, working with other state agencies and using funds from the state’s recreational fishing permit, recently completed a saltwater fishing pier in Oak Bluffs.  Being close to the ferry terminal, the pier gives recreational fishermen easy access to deeper water without having to make herculean casts from the shore.  It’s well-spent permit money.

Our Christ the King Church is a fishing pier of sorts from which we fish hoping to catch that which we spend so much time pursuing.  Being in Church to worship God – giving thanks, praising, and seeking forgiveness – provides opportunities to cast or drop our lines into deeper waters where we hope to hook something.  We hope to find something in the dark of the waters and then bring it up to the light.  From within the darkness of our lives, we fish for the light of encouragement, communion, peace, and love. 

Even if no fish takes our bait, we still have the right setting for calming our souls and stilling the storms within us all.  That’s what fishing does to which all Cape Cod fishermen from boats, piers, or the shore can testify.

We may not realize it, but as we sit in Church to pray; to listen to readings and the homily; and to participate in the Liturgy, we are like fish there to be hooked by our Creator – by the hand of God holding the rod or setting the net.  God’s bait is the offering of love and forgiveness when we need it.

In yesterday’s blog I mentioned the Church window at the rear entrance: Jesus holding a lamb and surrounded by thorns - sort of like a protective corral keeping out the wolves.   There’s another window most of us don’t appreciate because it’s “hidden” at the left of the Chapel entrance door.  It’s the blue/gold-colored glass depiction of a hand holding a net with fish awaiting capture.  It could be Jesus’ hand holding the net to catch fish for feeding the 5,000.  I prefer to think of it as the Hand of God with open palm into which we fish can jump to pull us from rough and unsafe waters. 

Summering and beaching on Cape Cod always reminds us of our need for lifeguards.  One such lifeguard is God holding and ready to cast God's net.  That’s deeply suntanned Jesus ready to spring from his chair with life preserver in hand.  Whether as lambs or as fish, we know Christ is always there.  Let's be not afraid.

Deacon David Pierce