Discipleship with Jesus

by Deacon Lorna Goodison on February 03, 2022

“Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet, if you say so, I will let down the nets.” (Luke 5:5) What an authentic way of presenting one’s situation to Jesus! On the shore of the Sea of Galilee Simon admitted to Jesus, his personal weariness, his sense of resignation after a night of unsuccessful fishing. Simon trusted Jesus enough to follow His direction to put the boat out into the deep waters and let down the nets.    

To Simon’s and his partners’ amazement, they were gifted with an overwhelming catch of fish. There were so many fish that the nets were close to breaking. However, this was just the beginning of a great miracle of transformation. The mysterious abundance of fish led Simon to an awakening, an inner enlightenment. He saw beyond Jesus’ humanity and discerned that Jesus was the visible manifestation of the presence of the holy, Divine God. It was this Divine Jesus, who had jumped into his boat, taught the crowds, then turned to offer him the supernatural grace of an abundant catch of fish. God, the high and lofty One, thought to be unapproachable, stooped to involve Himself in Simon’s very personal needs through Jesus. Overwhelmed with awe and wonder at the glory of God in Jesus Christ, Simon perceived his lowliness, his weakness. He bowed down in worship and confessed his sinfulness and unworthiness. He beseeched Jesus to leave him. But Jesus never leaves us in guilt and shame, but offers pardon and reconciliation, as He offered Simon.

Jesus’ engagement with Simon continued as the Divine stooped once more to invite lowly Simon into the life of discipleship, living like Jesus Himself in the world; “from now on you will be catching people”. Simon and his partners, with a now deeper trust in Jesus, consented to lay down their vocation to go “all in” with Him into the unseen future.  

Today Jesus invites us, lowly folks, to trust Him enough to journey with Him as disciples. He calls us to follow Him and “fish people” out of godless, meaningless existence into a new life of God’s generous, abundant, mercy and grace. We consent to Jesus’ call, not trusting our righteousness, but Jesus’ great mercies. By faith, we grow in discipleship as Jesus gets into our boats to guide and support us on the journey.    

Prayer: Unbind us, O Lord, help us to look outward and see ministry possibilities. Open our eyes to see the persons who are yearning for your good news. Amen.

Tags: jesus, discipleship, trust, reconciliation, disciples, journey, awakening, abundance, enlightenment, fish people

About the Author
Deacon Lorna Goodison

Reverend Lorna Goodison was ordained to the Diaconate on April 29, 2007. After discerning a call to ordained ministry, Deacon Lorna completed a process of spiritual discernment and pursued three years of study at the Diocesan School for Christian Studies. She also completed three units of hospice care training through Vitas and for a short while she was a volunteer Chaplain. Highlights of her continuing education activities include a guided visit to Israel and attending the Festival of Homiletics in Boulder, Colorado.

Soon after her ordination, Deacon Lorna was called to serve as Deacon at St. Mary Magdalene. She initiated an outreach ministry to the homeless at St. Laurence Chapel, obtaining the support and involvement of most members of the congregation. This ministry remained a vibrant outreach of the Church until the Chapel closed in 2019.  Other outreach ministries formed include an informal group of members who stay in touch with members who are ill and shut-in. Deacon Lorna remains committed to both the in-reach and outreach ministries of the Church. She has led quiet day reflections for groups within and outside of St. Mary Magdalene. She has often led Deacon’s Masses at small churches without a priest. Of all the ministries in which Deacon Lorna participates, she is most humbled and grateful to be involved in the ministry of praying with congregants facing life’s challenges.

Deacon Lorna serves the Diocese of Southeast Florida as a member of the Disciplinary Committee. She also serves on the Board of Deacons.   

Professionally, Deacon Lorna worked for some years in Human Resource Departments as a Training Manager, but most of her working years were spent in Social Work. She worked with at-risk teenagers counselling them and guiding them to resources to build a meaningful future. The last twenty years of her profession, were spent working with Seniors, guiding them to the resources needed to maintain their safety and independence. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a master’s degree in Adult Education. She is now retired, cherishes some alone time for prayer and reflection, but divides her time between the Church and her family which consists of two daughters, their husbands and three grandchildren.

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