Fish for People

Dear People of Christ Church,

I look forward to being back with you this Sunday for our service at 9am; I've been to church a few times over vacation, but there is nothing like your home altar.

Two weeks ago, my family had the opportunity to worship at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church on Grosse Ile, part of the Magdalen Islands of Canada. The Magdalen Islands are accessible by a five hour ferry ride north of Prince Edward Island (which is, in turn, a 12 hour drive from here)-in short, they are far away! The Magdalens are part of Quebec, but there is a tiny English speaking community on the islands. There are three English speaking churches on the islands, and we went to the big one-there were about 15 people in addition to my family.

The service was nice enough, but I was most struck by the stained glass window at the front. The windows portray Jesus calling Simon Peter and Andrew-walking by the Sea of Galilee, he sees them throwing in their net, doing their work. He said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." And immediately they left their nets and followed him."

I've always liked the story because it portrays Jesus doing what God still does-going to people right where they are. In the window, though, it's not some airy tunic-clad wispy Jesus; it's Jesus as an actual fisherman, wearing a thick sweater and big boots (The window was created in 1986). A girl standing near him has jeans on, and the hills of the East Cape of the Magdalens are visible in the background. Another is holding a thick rope, with overalls and a knit cap.

What would this window look like if it were made in Waltham? We have one answer, our own great West window. It's not as explicitly time-bending, but it's full of local imagery and speaks to the central focus of our city at the time. Rivets, cars, gears, factory equipment-it's dedicated to the power and meaning of work. God working, as the creator, Noah building the ark, Ruth gleaning the fields-this is one generation's answer to God reaching people where they are.

What is your image for this? Is it Jesus in a committee meeting, a sales call, a performance evaluation? Jesus with you adjusting a patient's medicine, or sharing a secret smile as a coworker talks about something? Jesus with you, leading a small child back to bed after his fifth trip to the bathroom of the night? Is it hard to imagine Jesus in a business suit, or scrubs, or coveralls?

This is the power of the Christian hope and resurrection: that Christ, the risen Lord, is risen right here and now, working in our lives and with our own hands and feet. Crashing through all the boundaries of time, space, location, gender, language, convention. When was the last time you saw him? When did she show you God's grace?

Blessings,

Sara+