The Fish

In general, talking to people about God (not one of my habits, our host will know better) must be as futile as trying to teach a fish about water. At least it seems that way to me. The fish is interested in other things and doesn't even notice it. For us, what is beneath notice is usually ignored, or if we think about it at all it is conceptualized as if it is far away and uninvolved.

Would it be accurate to say that water is uninvolved in the life of a fish? Perhaps, if we regard water as inanimate and lacking consciousness. But on the other hand, nothing is more involved in the life of a fish than water.

I think the metaphor is apt, because we also are interested in other things and have some doubt or ignorance of God, whereas nothing is more involved in the life of a person, more intimate and present, yet unnoticed.

In The Godfather III a priest picks a rock out of a pool and says to Michael Corleone, "This stone has been in the water for centuries, but the water has not penetrated it even a little. So it is with Christ and those misguided persons (also priests) who betray you."

To me, this is also a part of religion, to become soluble to the great and omnipresent Being in whom we exist. Then someday, looking on, perhaps we say, "Oops, there he goes. No more Hugh."

No more fish, only water.

~Tim Klay