Denny Crane. He’s a character played by William Shatner on the T.V. show Boston Legal. Last night the show closed like this:
His business partner asked “What would you do if you ever had the chance to meet God?”
Crane answered “Probably take him fishing.”
An interesting idea. In my head I changed God to Jesus so I could think about the prospect and its implications.
It brings up my circumstances, not those of a rich Boston lawyer. Denny Crane could fly him to whatever ritzy marina, take him out on his yacht and
have him out to the good fishing spots in no time; pamper and amaze him with all manner of things sybarites and sultans enjoy. In my case Jesus would
have to be content fishing from my crude but effective panga, right here at East Cape in Baja California, Mexico.
If I had advance notice I would probably clean up the boat and motor, maybe paint the boat, maybe buy some newer, better seat cushions. I would
definitely check all my fishing gear, scrub up my old cooler and lay in some appropriate snacks and beverage. I’m thinkin’ olives, cheese and
tortillas – about as close as I can come to unleavened bread around here. Beyond that I could only hope that Jesus would judge me and Denny the same,
for our loving intentions, not our worldly goods.
I’d be a little nervous, of course. I would try to remember little things like not asking him if he had a license, not running down the limits, the
catch and release thing, warnings about prohibited species. If he truly knows all things, we could jump over a lot of stuff about how to handle the
rods, reels and lures – buzz right past trolling patterns and speeds. Matter of fact, when I think about it, his suggestions about the what, where,
how might lead me to some fish I wouldn’t have a chance to catch if he wasn’t along for the ride. Now I drift off to a dangerous area – I am a
prideful man; I want to catch big fish. Now I’m wondering if bragging rights are sins. For example if we ran into some hungry football tuna, it would
just kill me to not be able to ask him where the big daddies were.
That thought brings me to a worse sin, greed. Would he release any fish we caught? What about a 40 pound dorado? A huge tuna? Who knows, maybe he
would keep em’ all, make me give them to the poor. No problem on that one – that’s a win, win except for the fishery, PESCA, fishhuggers. Maybe one
problem with that, now that I think of it – from that day forward the whole village would be waiting for me on the beach when I came back in from
fishing.
It would be a day to remember. A glorious day – I mean, he would see to that. Strange day for me all the way around. Wouldn’t be able to cuss, take
his name in vain – wonder how many times a day I do that when I’m fishing. What about after we came back to the house? I really couldn’t ask him to
help me clean the fish, clean up the boat. I’d clean the fish and I usually wait til the next morning to clean the boat. Is that sloth? Isn’t that one
of those sins? And what about my pals and neighbors? They would all be asking me about Jesus, the trip, where we went, what we used – if I held back
some of that fishing info would that be considered an act of avarice?
I’d have to pay for all the gas myself; could not ask him for a dime. What I might do, if he didn’t put up a big fuss is ask him if Lynda could get
some pictures, of the two of us, with the fish. I don’t think that’s a sin. If it is I don’t know the name of it so no harm, no foul. My daddy always
said “Never hurts to be seen with important people.”vandenberg - 1-7-2009 at 08:17 PM
A new Fishhawk gem.
Thank you Jorge.woody with a view - 1-7-2009 at 08:29 PM
Osprey
worry not amigo, I will buy food and drinks, gas, help clean the boat AND the fish. heck, i'd even provide a
camera for you to remember the day.....
all you gotta do is ask, buddy!!!Sallysouth - 1-7-2009 at 08:40 PM
Just priceless!!! I can't get the smile off my face !!! Thanks Osprey!Pescador - 1-8-2009 at 09:58 AM
I am sure that someone could be counted on to bring two little loaves of bread and you guys could end up feeding the whole village. And of course,
the real miracle comes when he turns you into an apostle.Martyman - 1-8-2009 at 10:05 AM
Great story Osprey;
Reminds of my long ago dreams that Magic Johnson would be walking by my house and we would play some hoop together.wsdunc - 1-8-2009 at 10:32 AM
Another good one Osprey, I was thinking about if Jesus was getting spooled by a big fish would he do some godly thing to stop the fish or watch
himself get spooled?Osprey - 1-8-2009 at 10:54 AM
Jesus gets spooled! Now that fish would have some bragging rights. Woo Haa.Sharksbaja - 1-8-2009 at 11:07 AM
Could be awkward for sure. I'm wondering why he would need a boat.
Fishing with Jesus?
Dave - 1-8-2009 at 01:08 PM
Not a chance.
Jesus would counsel to sell your boat and equipment and give the money to the poor. And in the future buy from those who make their living from the
sea.dtbushpilot - 1-8-2009 at 01:17 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Dave
Not a chance.
Jesus would counsel to sell your boat and equipment and give the money to the poor. And in the future buy from those who make their living from the
sea.
It seems to me that Jesus spent a lot of time with fishermen. I remember a story about him telling Peter to cast his net on the other side of the boat
and they caught more than they could haul in. He would probably be able to tell you what lure to use, trolling speed, etc.
George, I'll be down late next week, maybe we can hook up with Jesus for some fishing.....dtvandenberg - 1-8-2009 at 01:27 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Sharksbaja
Could be awkward for sure. I'm wondering why he would need a boat.
If, like many of us, going 20 to 30 miles out, carrying all your gear plus a cooler with goodies, would make for a tough walk even for him.fdt - 1-8-2009 at 01:49 PM
Buenisima historieta Don Jorge, gracias.Iflyfish - 1-9-2009 at 08:54 AM
I personally would not fish with Him. He is notorious for being able to call his shot "cast your nets on the other side of the boat etc.” and being
somewhat competitive, I doubt I would handle that very well. I am also prone to yell His name in moments of both ecstasy and agony and I would not
want to be in the position of needing to clarify which in His company. Another issue for me is that he would no doubt set a limit of six fish, enough
to feed an entire village and I really don’t like to stop when the fishing is good. On the other hand the water to wine thing could be handy if he
could do the same with water and Pacifico or even better yet Noche Buena!
