REFLECTIONS TODAY

Jesus now takes his ministry to a wider audience, in the ordinary context of people’s lives. From teaching in the synagogues, he moves on to the seashore; he sits on a boat and turns it into a “pulpit.” It is not an indifferent choice that Jesus sits on Simon’s boat to teach the people. After the teaching session, Jesus puts Simon on the spot: he challenges him to set out into the deep for a catch! Simon knows how counter intuitive is Jesus’ command, after a long night of fishing but catching nothing. But still, he obeys and there begins the miracle, and more, the discovery of who Jesus truly is. 

Obedience to the word of Jesus is the beginning of an epiphany, not only of who he is, but also of who we are. Simon Peter says, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man” (v 8). Sinful, but forgiven, and blessed with abundance. Obeying Jesus’ command and recognizing his power over us is also the beginning of a new assurance and new mission: “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men” (v 10), Jesus tells Simon Peter and his companions. They are encouraged and freed, in order to free others.

First Reading • 1 Cor 3:18-23 

Brothers and sisters: Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you considers himself wise in this age, let him become a fool, so as to become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God, for it is written: God catches the wise in their own ruses, and again: The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. 

So let no one boast about human beings, for everything belongs to you, Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or the present or the future: all belong to you, and you to Christ, and Christ to God.

Gospel • Luke 5:1-11 1 

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 they 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.