In today’s Gospel reading, Christ calls four fishermen — Peter, John, Andrew, and James — to be his disciples, to be fishers of men. Deacon Tikhon, in today’s sermon, explains how this analogy helps us understand the kingdom of heaven.

The church is like the ship. As the fishermen depend on the ship for safety, so we depend on the church as the vessel of salvation. Deacon Tikhon encourages us to care for the vessel that protects us from the perils of life through stewardship and almsgiving.

If the ship is the church, the net is the Gospel. This fishing tool, unlike a hook and line, does not discriminate the types of fish it catches. Similarly, the good news of Christ is for all the world. We must tend to our net, the Gospel, by studying the Scriptures and attending church to experience sacramental life.

Finally, the fishermen represent us. Christ did not choose legal scholars or religious leaders to be his disciples, but rather chose these hardworking and obedient fishermen. To be followers of Christ as the fishermen were, we too must work hard and be obedient through prayer, fasting, and following Christ’s commandments.