Matthew 4:18-23 2025/06/22 Osaka Church
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
When Jesus called out to them, the fishermen of Lake Galilee immediately left their nets and followed Him. But was it only their nets that they left behind?
The fishermen of Galilee left their “peace” along with their “nets.”
They left their familiar homes and traveled around towns and villages with the Lord Jesus.
And they trembled at the teachings of the Lord that they heard there.
“You will be thrown into hell just for mocking someone.”
“If you look at a woman with lust, gouge out your eye.”
“If someone strikes your right cheek, offer your left as well.”
“Love your enemies, pray for them.”
“Be perfect.”
They were sent out with instructions not to take purses, clothes, or walking sticks, but to be looked after by those who welcomed them wherever they went, and to preach the gospel of the “Kingdom of God.” At times, they were breathless with shock as they watched Jesus drive out the merchants from the temple in righteous anger. At another time, they were arguing with each other about who was the greatest, and were scolded with fiery rebukes. And finally, on that Friday, they were overcome with fear, and wept over their own cowardice in leaving the Lord alone on the cross. They were literally broken down by their own weakness and cowardice in not even being able to help bury the Lord who had died.
But their encounter with the Resurrected Lord three days later did not mean the end of these stormy days. On the morning of the descent of the Holy Spirit, they received the Holy Spirit and scattered to announce the Resurrection of the Lord to the whole world. Their journey was full of difficulties, and they literally carried the cross with the Lord. There was no “peace” in it. Most of them were brutally killed. We Christians have all thrown away peace. When we are spoken ill of, abused, or ridiculed, we would cry out in our hearts, or in the bar, “That fool!”, and only then would we regain our “peace.” We threw away that kind of peace. We threw away that way of life when we decided to live by faith in Christ.
But did we regain peace of mind after throwing it away?
Not at all. The more we try to keep Christ’s commandments of love, to forgive and love our enemies, the more our body and mind feel burned up by the heat of hatred, and in the end we can only see our own sinfulness…we have to “accept” the suffering that is like being burned by the fires of hell. No matter how many times we fall into sin, we always believe in the Lord’s forgiveness and guidance, and in the grace of the Holy Spirit, and we always rise up again and again. Through this act, we can testify to the world that Christ is among us. Saint Siouan the Athonite boldly said, “keep thy mind in hell, but do not despair.” …Where can we find peace?
The Lord promised his disciples, “Peace I leave with you. I give to you my peace. This is not as the world gives to me (John 14:26).” He also said, “In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, for I have overcome the world.” That is, “that in me you may have peace.” And the Holy Apostle Paul encourages us to “rejoice always,” “give thanks always and pray without ceasing,” no matter what hardships we face, and “the peace of God, which surpasses all thoughts and understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).”
I said earlier that Christianity does not promise “peace.” I will now take back that statement. Peace is promised. However, this peace is not “given” to those who seek peace, but only to those who have renounced hope for “peace” and live in unwavering fidelity to Christ (Matthew 6:33).
And the taste of this Eucharist that we share now, the taste of the Holy Eucharist that we receive here, is the taste of this peace that is given to us as a blessing.