Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man
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Peter utters these words to Jesus after hearing him preach and after catching a lot of fish when he lowered down the net in obedience to him. Peter is overwhelmed by the experience. At first, he is not supposed to go fishing again, for it is daytime. Yet, when he gambles his prestige as a fisherman and obeys the words of Jesus, who has no experience in fishing, an unexpected miracle happens. This humbles Peter. Now, he realizes that the one in front of him is not just a popular and charismatic preacher, but a man who can truly do amazing things. Because of this, Jesus finds him qualified to be his follower. Peter will become a fisher of men. He will catch people and bring them into God’s Kingdom. If we feel humbled and unworthy to be before God, we must be prepared to embark on a new venture. He may be calling us. Those who think they are worthy are not good materials for mission.
Gospel • 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.
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: publishing@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.