One Hundred and Fifty-Three Big Fish
This Sunday morning I was contemplating the many things I wish to do and feeling frustrated that I just do not prioritize them and get myself into action. I am not accomplishing my dreams. It was with this mind set that I attended 9 o’clock Mass. I found myself intrigued by the gospel which I have heard many times before but this morning it took on a new meaning.
The gospel was from St. John. The incident takes place after the Resurrection. The apostles are out on a lake having fished all night without success. At dawn, Christ instructs them from the water’s edge to put down the net on the right side of the boat. Initially, the apostles do not know it is Christ but they follow his instructions and catch 153 big fish. The writer mentions that despite this significant catch, the net does not tear. When St. John lets St. Peter know it is Jesus on the shore who gave the fishing instructions, St. Peter gets out of the boat and swims to Jesus. The rest of the apostles come by boat to shore. They all proceed to have breakfast with Jesus. Apparently Jesus has fish already cooking as well as bread to share with His apostles.
I was intrigued by the 153 big fish. I thought it was interesting that the apostles counted the fish and that they were all big. My assumption was that they ate a few of those big fish and had a way of selling or distributing the rest. What was interesting for me learn from the sermon was that at that time in history, it was believed there were a total of 153 species of fish in the whole world. I have to admit, in my mind, I pictured 153 of the same species of fish and all the same size. Maybe this was accurate, maybe these all were the same type of fish and the number was indicating that each fish symbolically represented a different known species. This really would not make sense otherwise because the biggest sardine or anchovy would not be nearly the size of a big tuna or salmon. In that era, they knew about whales for sure because Jonah got swallowed by one.
I just want to take a moment to reflect on my personal experience of fish. As a child, I consumed the majority of my fish in the form of tuna fish sandwiches and fish sticks. This was in an era when Catholics abstained from meat on Fridays. This, in no way meant we had to eat fish. Today, practicing Catholics only have to avoid eating meat on Fridays during Lent. As an adult I have come to enjoy a variety of fish. I have learned that generally, fish give us important omega 3 fatty acids which are exceptionally good for our health. I doubt if I could name anywhere near 153 species of fish but I know I like to eat salmon, trout, tilapia, halibut and bass as well as shrimp and scallops which strictly speaking probably do not qualify as fish.
Anyway, now that I enjoy fish, at least some fish, I can look more favorably at the hospitality of Jesus already having a charcoal fire with fish cooking on it to share with the apostles who were then invited to cook their fish as well.
So now I return to my original Sunday morning thoughts which were not about big fish but projects I have in mind. There are quite a few dreams that I wish to bring to reality. Some ideas will take significant time and energy to accomplish; other ideas may just require a little research and a letter or a phone call. Some things will require expenditures up front but may bring significant returns on my investment. Right now, I am just going to imagine how good I will feel as I get these many tasks accomplished. I realize that even though I have a lot of ideas, there are not 153 of them. I wouldn’t know what to do with 153 big fish! Jesus knew his apostles would appreciate the fish both for breakfast and for their future. I hope and pray Jesus will help me accomplish my dreams.