Since the ministry of Jesus around the Sea of Galilee, he had many followers and apostles who were fishermen. According to Josephus, the famous historian, there were around 330 fishing boats in the lake during that time. Fish was a principal food for people in Palestine because they seldom used meat. Besides selling fresh fish, the fishermen shipped salted fish for sale to faraway places like Judea and Rome.
The call of fishers of men for evangelization among the nations, to bring all the scattered children of Israel, was a fulfillment of the prophecy of Jeremiah. “Look! – oracle of the LORD – I will send many fishermen to catch them” (Jer 16:16a).
REFLECTION
Though fishing was not a reputed profession in Palestine, Jesus selected seven, or at least four, from among the fishermen as his apostles. Jesus was looking for simple and open-minded people to be his ambassadors. He wants our service through the church regardless of our abilities and smartness. The Lord produces outstanding results when we serve him.