“Will you do me a favor?” When someone asks me that question, I like to think, for a minute, before I answer! I have a friend who, when she is asked “will you do me a favor”, always replies “If I can…” which is brilliant, right? Because it sounds willing, but still, there’s lots of wiggle room. “If I can…” can mean “if I can…think it makes sense”; “if I can…find the time”; “if I can…decide it’s worth my while”; “If I can…live with the consequences.”
“Will you do me a favor?”Jesus asks Simon Peter in the Gospel story we just heard. They’re standing at the water’s edge on the shore of Lake Gennesaret, which is another name for the Sea of Galilee. Jesus has been looking up at a huge crowd of people, already gathered, with more still coming. He’s seen the two fishing boats down on the beach, and the fishermen who’ve pulled them in, taking care of their nets - and has just climbed into one of the boats.
“Will you do me a favor? Can we put out a bit, so that I can teach from out there? Then everyone will be able to hear me.” It seems like no big deal, to Peter. It’s not as if he has plans for the boat. He fishes at night, so he’s done! All he’ll have to do is sit there ...(read more)
