Luke 5:1-11

1 Corinthians 3:18-23

Psalm 24:1bc-2, 3-4ab, 5-6

Luke 5:1-11

While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God,

he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret.

He saw two boats there alongside the lake;

the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets.

Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon,

he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore.

Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.

After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon,

“Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”

Simon said in reply,

“Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing,

but at your command I will lower the nets.”

When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish

and their nets were tearing.

They signaled to their partners in the other boat

to come to help them.

They came and filled both boats

so that the boats were in danger of sinking.

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said,

“Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”

For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him

and all those with him,

and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee,

who were partners of Simon.

Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid;

from now on you will be catching men.”

When they brought their boats to the shore,

they left everything and followed him.

Opening Prayer: Lord God, I have heard your Son’s voice and followed him. At the same time, I know that I can do better. Help me to overcome my fears, resist temptation, and bring others into your Kingdom.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Heeding God’s Call: Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John have encountered Jesus several times before hearing Jesus’ call to leave everything and follow him. It was John the Baptist who first pointed out Jesus as the Lamb of God to Andrew and John. That same day, Andrew brought his brother, Simon Peter, to Jesus. A second important encounter took place after Jesus’ teaching in the synagogue, in Simon’s house, when Jesus cured his mother-in-law. Today, Jesus teaches the crowds on the shore from Simon’s fishing boat. Jesus’ voice carried easily over the water. We are not told what he said, but his message thus far has been one of the Good News of the Kingdom of God. Jesus is announcing to the people that he is God’s Anointed One and that comes to save them.

2. Bringing People into the Kingdom of God: When Jesus finished teaching the crowds, he turned to Peter and told him to “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Peter must have been very tired. He had worked all night and listened to Jesus preach all morning. It was hot as it was mid-morning or midday. What is more, it was not the right time to fish. At the same time, Peter’s heart was open to God’s Word: “At your command I will lower the nets.” Peter doesn’t realize it, but the next time he lowers the nets, it will not be to bring fish into the boat but to bring men and women into the Kingdom of God. The miraculous catch of fish moves Peter to faith but also to conversion. He recognizes Jesus’ divine power and calls him “Lord.” Like Isaiah, Peter recognized his sinfulness before God’s presence. Isaiah said: “I am a man of unclean lips.” Peter said: “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” God responded to Isaiah by purifying his lips and commissioning him to preach to the people of Israel. Jesus responded to Peter by giving him courage and commissioning him to gather men and women into the Kingdom of God. In fact, just three years later, on the day of Pentecost, Peter and the other Apostles will bring some three thousand into the Church of God.

3. Fools in the Eyes of the World: Peter became a fool in the eyes of the world. He left the security of his boat and his fishing business. He left everything, put his hand to the plow, and resisted looking back. He strove to follow Christ. Yes, he would fall. He even tried to keep Jesus from going to Jerusalem. And he would deny Jesus three times. Not knowing exactly what to do in Galilee after the Resurrection, he would take up fishing once again. When Peter fell, he would repent, set his eyes once more on Jesus, weep on account of his sins, and set out once again into the deep. Peter was not wise in the eyes of the world but was so in the eyes of God. He entrusted himself to Jesus Christ and, with Christ, ascended the mountain of the Lord. Jesus is the one who can ascend the mountain and stand in the holy place because his hands are sinless, his heart is clean, and he desires only the things of heaven. Only when we wash ourselves in the blood of Christ, can we also ascend. Peter did this not only through his martyrdom in Rome but also in the daily martyrdom of serving the people of God. For this, he received a blessing from the Lord and a reward from Jesus his Savior.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, help me to hear your call. Like Peter, I know my sins and how unworthy I am of your forgiveness and love. You are so patient with me and do not give up on me. Continue to guide me on the right path.

Living the Word of God: How can I heed Jesus’ call today? How am I called to bring people into the Kingdom of God? Have I accepted the wisdom of the Gospel?