Big Fish: The Stories We Tell (John 21:25)

In the enchanting film Big Fish, we encounter Edward Bloom, a man whose life is woven from extraordinary stories—tales of towering giants, mystical mermaids, and daring escapades that seem to leap from the pages of a fairy tale. Picture Edward, his eyes twinkling with mischief as he recounts his adventures to anyone who will listen, surrounded by the warm glow of a flickering campfire. Yet, despite the color and vibrancy of his narratives, his son Will remains skeptical, dismissing them as mere fabrications, tall tales spun to distract from the mundane.

But as Edward nears the end of his life, Will finds himself drawn back to these stories—not to debunk them, but to understand the man behind the myths. In the quiet moments beside his father's hospital bed, he begins to unpack the truth buried within each embellished narrative. Those giants Edward spoke of were not mere figments of imagination; they represented the monumental struggles of life. The witches? They were the complex women who shaped his journey. Each tale, while exaggerated, pulses with authenticity, revealing Edward’s heart, his passions, and his deep-seated desire to connect with his son.

In the Gospel of John, we read that if all of Jesus’ wonders were written down, the world itself could not contain the books. Like Edward’s stories, the gospel narratives invite us to experience a truth that transcends mere facts—a truth that echoes the profound love and risk that define our existence. Just as Edward Bloom’s stories illuminated his character and legacy, so too does our faith tell the story of what is most real in our lives: a God who loves us fiercely, a Father who longs for relationship, and a Savior whose miracles invite us into a greater narrative. As we gather here today, may we lean into our own stories, finding the divine echo within them, and share the truths that shape who we are.