The bracelet is both simple and a bit strange, since it consists of six or seven fishing lures connected end to end.
Some people look at this piece of silver or gold jewelry in the James Avery line and they see fishing lures — period.
But other shoppers see the same item and they think of these words of Jesus: “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” This is especially true if they have completed a United Methodist Walk to Emmaus weekend, or some other renewal program inspired by the Catholic Cursillo movement.
“Most of our customers purchase and wear that for the religious symbolism,” said Paul Avery, executive vice president of the company that his father started in a garage. “But there is a group that has no clue what it means. … They just happen to like it. They like to fish or whatever.”
Actually they are not fishing lures. They are the snap swivels tied onto a fishing line that are then fastened to the eye hook of a fishing lure.
Is there a picture of this bracelet somewhere? I have googled and searched to no avail.
Here’s the link for the bracelet from the Avery web site:
http://secure.jamesavery.com/jewelry/search/product/B-330L/Fishers-of-Men-Bracelet/
The Fishers of Men Bracelet is 8″ long. Jesus’ first apostles were Peter, James, John and Andrew, all commercial fishermen by trade. In Matthew 4:19, Jesus promises them that they will be “fishers of men” if they will follow Him. Jesus’ promise to the apostles is one of a life full of richness and worth in service to God.
Thank you Kate…..I am a Cursillista and I am about to leave this Monday for our Anglican 4th Day weekend. So this has much meaning for me. This will be our diocese 22nd weekend.
James Avery sells wonderful jewelry. My former parish bought each graduating senior his or her choice from a selection of James Avery products. It’s a great gift and keepsake!
It’s kind of funny to me because in Girl Scout camp we made bracelets like this (with some beads on the swivels) and they had absolutely zero religious overtones. I still have that old bracelet… I guess I should pull it out and wear it with a whole new perspective!