When Jesus calls his first disciples, the fishermen Peter and Andrew, he says, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.”
That’s a fun passage to teach to Sunday school, because children will happily call out the awkwardness of the phrase that we adults tend to overlook. “Fish for people?” they say. “That’s a weird phrase…what does it mean exactly?”
Much of the Christian journey is about figuring out what it means to fish for people, and though it sounds simple, it can take a lifetime to really learn. Throughout history, many had seen it as a phrase that spoke of conversion and belief, but we limit our understanding of Jesus’ love for the world, and for each of us, if we limit it to that.
When Jesus invites the disciples to “fish for people,” what I hear is love. Because of how much Jesus loves each and every person God created, to be a disciple is to seek them out, to care for them, welcome them, and be the presence of Christ to them. I can think of no better example of that than what we have experienced with Ginger Bitikofer, our retiring Associate for Congregational Life and Membership. I have met few people in my life with such an authentic heart for ministry, with such an innate and inviting love for God’s people…especially those in need of a little bit of extra care.
For several decades now, as both a Trinity member and a member of our staff, Ginger has been not only the face of Trinity; indeed, she has been the heart of this place. I look forward to celebrating Ginger this Sunday with a Tea in the Cathedral, at 2:00 p.m., with a short program that will lead into a time of fellowship and joy.
Yet “fishing for people” means far more than that, because God’s love for each of us means far more than that. “Fishing for people” also means reaching out to all those who are marginalized, to all those who are systematically disempowered, those who are poor, and those who don’t have a voice to speak for them in the halls of power. When we gather at community actions or justice rallies, we are fishing for people, too. We’re acting in solidarity with our neighbors, with whom we’re called to proclaim God’s message of justice and mercy.
Fifteen years ago, Trinity Cathedral gathered with colleague churches and synagogues to found Greater Cleveland Congregations. Trinity was a founding congregation of this nonpartisan, multiracial, multifaith group working together to build power for social justice. My predecessor, Dean Tracey Lind, was a key driver of GCC’s creation and a formidable voice for justice in Cleveland, and the legacy and present work of GCC remains at the heart of Trinity’s work in the world.
This Sunday, GCC will celebrate its 15th anniversary at 3:00 p.m. at Olivet Institutional Baptist Church, and Dean Lind will be a guest and a speaker, alongside co-founders Rev. Jawanza Colvin of Olivet and Rabbi Joshua Caruso of Congregation Mishkan Orr.
Both events this Sunday afternoon are celebrations of ministry at the heart of Trinity’s life, because they reflect, in an incarnational way, how we answer Jesus’ call to “fish for people.” I look forward to seeing you at Trinity, at Olivet, or at both as we celebrate the gift of ministry and the people who lead us by example.
Faithfully,
