Use The Right Lure

 If we don't have the right lure we won't catch fish.  We have to know what will get the fish to bite if we want to catch them.  A lot of different things come into play here. Is it something they think is an easy meal? Is it something that they will attack defending their territory? What is the weather like, is it cloudy?  Sunny?  Cold?  Warm?

Some go to the extreme.  They actually sell a stomach pump so you can see what trout are eating!  I think that's a bit silly, after all you have to catch the trout first so you did do SOMETHING right already!
Well, however much I like fishing, and how I'd love to explain what lures I like to use to catch fish this isn't me pondering on fishing. I wouldn't want to give away my best fishing spots anyway.  This is more a discussion on what the bible tells us about fishing for people and the resources we have available.

A good place for us to begin here is what Jesus said in Mathew 4:18-20:

As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him.

How exactly does one fish for men?  Don't men hate those hooks in their mouths or being caught up in the nets?  Thank God that isn't what Jesus had in mind.  He meant catching people for the kingdom of God, not for a trophy on the wall!

What tackle do we have at our disposal?  

• Scripture is a big one!
  2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
• Jesus himself was a great teacher on how to fish for people.
  1 Corinthians 9:20-23 To the Jews I became like a Jew to win over Jews; to those under the law I became like one under the law though I myself am not under the law to win over those under the law. To those outside the law I became like one outside the law though I am not outside God’s law but within the law of Christ to win over those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it.
• How about the saints?
  St. Francis “The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” Another great quote from him is “All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.”
  St. John Chrysostom
  The Catholic Church has a plethora of saints that have preached his word even to their death (martyrs).
• Past Popes are an excellent tool that I myself haven't utilized as much as I should.  Check out some of the Papal Encyclicals!
  Pope Frances - "Christian life isn't spa therapy to give us peace til we reach heaven, it's all about sharing Gospel."

This is by no means a comprehensive list.  We have our own Parishes, pastors, fellow parishioners and friends as resources on our fishing trip.  Take a friend fishing for people!  Jesus didn't send his twelve closest friends out alone!

Mark 6:7

He summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits.

We also need to lean heavy on the Holy Spirit!  Remember, Jesus promised that he would send them an Advocate after he left them.  In the last words of Jesus prior to ascending He promised them the proper tool to fish for people! 

Acts 1:7-8

He answered them, "It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Lastly, and most importantly, let's not forget that all the preaching and teaching we do must be done in love.  Without love involved then we may as well not go fishing for people at all.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3

If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing