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:

You will be catching men. Simon is called to be a fisher of men and women. This is a tremendous grace. But it is preceded by other graces that have prepared Simon for the call: Jesus using his boat as a platform from which to preach, then the unexpected abundant catch of fish when Simon obeys the command of Jesus to go out into the deep and lower his nets. Only after all these does Jesus call Simon.

That is the way God calls us. God gives preparatory graces to help us respond to the call. This is true for vocation to the priesthood as well as to married life. God gives a couple experiences that prepare them to give themselves to each other in marriage. Priests can tell of the many graces disposing them to receive the call of God: perhaps a very Christian family, with apostolic parents; perhaps meeting a priest who inspired them in class or while celebrating Mass.

But when the call comes, it is not because of any merit on the part of the one called. Simon knows this and so he says, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” The truth is, the Lord does not call us because of our qualities. He equips us with the qualities we need for what he calls us to be and to do.

People are fragile.

Handle with the greatest care.