***
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.
The Gospel of the Lord.
***
***
“Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man” (Luke 5:8).
***
What was it about himself that Peter declared to be sinful?
Perhaps it was simply recognizing that he was in the presence of someone holier and more powerful than himself.
Maybe Peter lived subconsciously with a sense of guilt, an awareness of his sins, or mistakes made – as sometimes we can do.
But Jesus sees different things – good things – within Peter, which will help him to change the world.
***
Jesus sees an experienced fisherman – a man with calloused hands who understands the value of perseverance, discipline, and hard work.
Jesus sees a man who is willing trust and take risks. Although Peter just returned from a fruitless night of fishing – and he, not Jesus, is the professional fisherman – Peter willingly drops his nets at Christ’s command.
Above all, Jesus sees Peter’s future – the foundation of the Church. The skills and talents Peter developed over years of hard work as a fisherman will soon be put in service of the Gospel.
“I will make you a fisher of men,” Jesus says.
***
So, what can we take away from this encounter between Jesus and Peter?
***
Sometimes we can be overwhelmed by a sense of unworthiness when in the presence of the Divine, as Peter was that day.
But try to see within yourself the beautiful things the Lord sees: unique skills and talents which can make you a “fisher of men.”
As Saint Peter says, “Put your gifts in service of the Gospel, each according to the gifts you have received.” (1 Peter 4:10)
What might be some of those talents within me? And how can I use them to share my faith?
***
***
Image credits: (1) @drlouiseswartswalter (2) Aleteia (3) Cristina Janta