Miraculous catch of fish
The Miraculous catch of fish illustrates that simple changes, such as merely casting the fishing net on the other side of the boat, can have tremendously beneficial effects. A slight, inexpensive change in approach can overcome addiction and anxiety.
This miracle is also mathematically significant for illustrating the existence of infinity or, in economics terminology, an unlimited surplus. Logically, the absence of fish throughout the night on one side of the boat does not negate an overabundance of fish on the other side afterward, so human intuition is proven false by this. Simply put, infinite happiness is immediately available to anyone at any time -- even at his times of his worst despair -- by merely rejecting liberal denial. Many useful examples are set forth below.
The logic of this miracle is very effective in dealing with anxiety, regret, and addiction, as the miraculous catch of fish is always nearby. This illustrates the Coase theorem, by which the most productive use of resources occurs at any given time no matter who has ownership or what occurred in the past. The existence of infinity implies the reality of this miracle and the unlimited immediate potential of faith at any time.
The humorous yet widely praised saying, first uttered by the eminently quotable Yogi Berra, captures one aspect of this miracle: "It ain't over 'til it's over."[1]
A little-noticed aspect of this is how infinite happiness is immediately available despite a situation of apparently immense despair. This is similar to the insight that there is always a readily available escape away from addiction:
“ | No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.[2] | ” |
In the miracle Jesus urges His disciples, who had been fishing all night without any success, to simply recast their nets in a different way. When they did, to their astonishment the nets filled beyond capacity with fish, catching more than the disciples could handle.
This miracle is recounted in both Luke 5:4-10 and John 21:1-6 (but see John ending). In the Gospel of John, Jesus suggests that the disciples cast the nets on the "right" side of the boat, whereupon the catch was overwhelming.[3]
The "right" side has political connotations. The use of the "right" and "left" to refer to political persuasions became commonplace based on the seating layout of the National Assembly just prior to the French Revolution.
Contents
Often useful
This miracle is often useful in reminding us that simple, immediate solutions exist to many problems, such as:
- "try rebooting"
- on obesity, "try weighing yourself daily ... and posting it on the refrigerator door"
- "try drinking a glass of vegetable juice rather than beer daily"
- on regret, "just do (or don't do) something similar now"
- "try checking your spam folder"
- "try saying daily prayers"
- "try apologizing"
- "try plugging the appliance into a different outlet"
- "try checking the fuse box"
- "try switching from watching television to reading the Bible"
- "try snacking less"
- "try unplugging the NFL and notice how much new free time you have"
- "try getting different friends"
- "try opening (or closing) the window"
- "try switching to a higher protein, less-added-sugar diet"
- in sports, "keep your eye on the ball"
- on Zoom, "try turning off the mute"
- on the internet, "try using a different browser"
- on meeting goals, "try quantifying them"
- on a child failing to learn to read, "post his words read each day on the refrigerator, and set a goal of 1000 words per day"
Open-Mindedness
This miracle is a test of Openmindedness, as there is no logical reason not to try casting the nets on the other side of the boat. The fishermen did not have anything better to do with idle time. The human intuition to adamantly refuse to try that simple option is illogical.
Liberal denial
Liberal denial works on the mind to prevent it from realizing the immediate possibility of access to the equivalent of a miraculous catch of fish. Liberal political positions falsely assume a zero-sum game, a harsh scarcity of resources, and a hopelessness that ultimately requires some form of tyranny or communism.
Immediacy of the opportunity
The immediacy of the opportunity to convert despair into success is striking. The situation dramatically turns from hopelessness to greater success than can be handled. Merely being open to the possibility was all that was required.
Humor in the account
There is substantial humor in the account of this in the Bible, particularly in the description of it in the Gospel of Luke. Not only was the catch of fish large, but it caused the nets to begin breaking and ultimately placed the boats at risk of sinking after they were filled with so many fish.
References
- ↑ https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/news/yogi-berra-dies-quotes-its-not-over-till-its-over-yankees-comebacks-mets-red-sox-braves-indians/13tyjao2mbhrf1jrgniroq2auz
- ↑ 1Corinthians 10:13
- ↑ He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. John 21:6 (NIV). But see John ending.