A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 5:1-11)
Jesus 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.”
Peter had been working hard all night in a futile attempt to catch fish, so he must have taken Jesus’ words “Put out into deep water” with a grain of salt. But after bringing in a large catch of fish—a miraculous sign of God’s extraordinary generosity—he confesses his sinfulness and responds immediately to Jesus’ call to follow him. “When they brought their boats to the shore,” Luke tells us, “they left everything and followed him.” By using the metaphor of fishing, Jesus demonstrates that discipleship is not limited or limiting, but they are called to cast their nets wide and bring people from all walks of life into the Kingdom of God.
God, help me understand today’s Gospel message. I so often get caught up in the plans I have for any given day only to find that I accomplished little of what I strived for. Peter’s reply to Jesus, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man,” reminds me that unless I listen out for your voice and do what is pleasing to you, my efforts are in vain. Give me the grace of humility to work today not for attaining and exceeding my own expectations but to be attentive to your Son. Just as Jesus approaches Simon and Andrew and invites them to follow him, he also calls me to work with him to accomplish your will.
From the Gospel acclamation: “Come after me, says the Lord, and I will make you fishers of men.” Lord, make known your ways to me as I set out on this day.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.