The Call of Simon the Fisherman

Today's Reflections

The Call of Simon the Fisherman

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Lk 5:1-11

¹While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. ²He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. ³Getting 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. ⁴After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” ⁵Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.” ⁶When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. ⁷They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that they were in danger of sinking. ⁸When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” ⁹For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, ¹⁰and 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.” ¹¹When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.

Reflection:

But at your command I will lower the nets. Peter is a seasoned fisherman, and Jesus is a carpenter unfamiliar with catching fish. Peter and his companions have worked hard all night long for nothing, and he knows from experience that there is no fish. But at the command of Jesus, Peter agrees. He does not complain. He does not reason out to disobey. Peter does what Jesus tells him. And to his great surprise, there is a huge catch.

This is a lesson in discipleship. We must not question Jesus’ ways. We may be experts in our respective fields, but Jesus knows what is best. He is the Lord of this world. Then, after listening to Jesus, we must be ready to obey him. Peter does not rely on his expertise. He follows the instructions of Jesus and witnesses a miracle.

How many times did you stick to your reasoning

to avoid doing a command of the Lord?

What miracles did you witness

when you surrendered to the ways of the Lord?