Timing Is Everything | September 3, 2015

 September 3, 2015

They say that timing is everything and as a musician, dancer, and choreographer, I totally get that. Being off beat, out of sync, and a step behind is never desirable and it can completely destroy a song or a dance number. One of my biggest challenges as a choreographer is to synchronize a stage full of individuals to both the rhythm of the music and the precision of the movement. It is difficult and takes practice, breaking the movement down into smaller phrases, lots of counting 5-6-7-8, and ultimately the more time the cast spends together the more in sync they become. There is a natural rhythm that establishes itself among dancers and musicians that have performed together for a while. They can read each other and instinctively know when to sing, when to harmonize, how fast or slow they need to move; it’s like finishing each other’s sentences. In music timing IS everything.

Today’s gospel is about timing. I used to think that the calling of the first disciples was a spur of the moment, impulsive decision and that Jesus’ personality and charisma was so dynamic and so appealing that everyone who merely looked at him dropped whatever they were doing at the moment and just started walking behind him, like some sort of ancient Jewish zombie apocalypse parade. But the fact of the matter is that Jesus had already been teaching and preaching throughout Judea and was developing quite a large audience, and let’s not forget yesterday’s gospel where he and his friends ate at Peter’s house after synagogue. Jesus had been working on his interpersonal relationships with specific people for some months. Just like any friendship, there is a period of getting to know each other and some friendships move faster than others. Have you ever just met someone and yet you feel like you’ve known him or her forever? Jesus had been spending time with Peter, James, and John and somehow, on this particular day, he knew that they were ready for the next level of their relationship.

It says that Jesus was on the shore and there was a crowd all around him. In the past 5 years my youth group has grown to well over a 100 kids. I used to be able to give talks without the use of a microphone, but now, because of the size of the crowd, I have to amplify my voice or else the message won’t be heard and I will definitely not command their undivided attention. This scene mirrors that. The crowd was too large for him to be heard and his solution to this dilemma was to go out on the water. Water acts like a natural amphitheater and would have amplified his voice so that the entire crowd on the shore could hear him. He chose to get into Simon’s (Peter) boat immediately establishing that they were already in a relationship. I mean who is going to let a stranger onto their boat? He preached and the topic is not mentioned, however, his talk was followed by an object lesson.

Raise your hand if you loved object lessons in school? I did. I especially loved object lessons on things that I was completely clueless about like math and science. Show me how it works and I might be able to understand it better. Jesus’ object lesson is for Simon. He said, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Simon must have chuckled at the sweet dear preacher man trying to tell a very successful and experienced fisherman how to fish. Bless his little heart, right? So Simon tries to establish his expertise as a fisherman by pointing out that they had just fished all night and caught nothing, but if you want me to I’ll do it. I think he was trying to prepare Jesus for the disappointment of no fish for breakfast today. Of course they caught more than his nets could hold and they had to call over Simon’s other boat manned by James and John to contain all the fish.  Simon immediately felt ashamed for doubting Jesus and wanted to hide because he felt so unworthy to be his friend. This sentiment really hits home for me this week, as it is one of those weeks when I have been questioning my own worthiness in being one of Jesus’ disciples. Simon always seems to resonate my own struggles.

Jesus comforts Simon right away with those words that ring in my own head almost on a daily basis, “Be not afraid.” Don’t worry Simon. Sounds simple enough, however, we know that it takes supernatural strength to actually not worry. Jesus knew that the timing was right for Simon, James, and John to join him in the next level of his mission. He had been observing them, teaching them, hanging out with them, and spending time with their families. They were such good friends that they were willing to listen to his non-experienced fisherman’s request to let down their nets, even when their better judgment told them not to. They trusted him. When Simon showed his shame, not feeling worthy, acknowledging that he was a sinful man, Jesus knew that he was ready to listen and to follow because he was comfortable enough to show his own vulnerability. Simon showed Jesus what he needed to see in order for him to be called to his vocation: trust, vulnerability, openness, humility, and willingness to listen. Timing is everything.

Jesus finished up the object lesson by saying, “From now on you will catching men.” Simon, James, and John were also ready and the timing was right for them to give up their previous lives and follow him. We are called in the same way, friends. Jesus wants a relationship with us so that we can also learn to trust, be vulnerable, open our hearts, practice humility, and listen to his voice. This story shows us that he is patient and will wait until the time is right. Jesus will never force himself on us. He wants us to be able to surrender everything and follow him. The best thing we can do is to spend time with him, observe him, learn from him, hang out with his family and eventually we will be ready to cast our own nets over the side and let it fill with the fruits of our vocation. We are ALL called, but we are each called according to our own gifts and talents, and when the timing is right. Don’t miss the call. Pay attention and stay alert. The sooner we are ready the better. Timing is everything and it’s time to listen to His song and dance to the beat of His rhythm so that harmony and synchronicity will move us to follow his lead.

Reading 1 COL 1:9-14

Brothers and sisters:
From the day we heard about you, we do not cease praying for you
and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will
through all spiritual wisdom and understanding
to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,
so as to be fully pleasing, in every good work bearing fruit
and growing in the knowledge of God,
strengthened with every power, in accord with his glorious might,
for all endurance and patience,
with joy giving thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share
in the inheritance of the holy ones in light.
He delivered us from the power of darkness
and transferred us to the Kingdom of his beloved Son,
in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Responsorial Psalm PS 98:2-3AB, 3CD-4, 5-6

R. (2) The Lord has made known his salvation.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.

Alleluia MT 4:19

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Come after me, says the Lord,
and I will make you fishers of men.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel LK 5:1-11

While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God,
he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret.
He saw two boats there alongside the lake;
the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets.
Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon,
he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore.
Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon,
“Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”
Simon said in reply,
“Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing,
but at your command I will lower the nets.”
When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish
and their nets were tearing.
They signaled to their partners in the other boat
to come to help them. 
They came and filled both boats
so that the boats were in danger of sinking.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said,
“Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”
For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him
and all those with him,
and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee,
who were partners of Simon.
Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid;
from now on you will be catching men.”
When they brought their boats to the shore,
they left everything and followed him.