Jesus said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” “Master, we were hard at work all night and caught nothing at all, but if you say so, I will let down the
nets.” —Luke 5: 4-5

It turned out to be a great day, but it sure didn’t start off well. Simon Peter was tired and he was annoyed. The man who had such a ‘healthy self image’ that he would have the audacity to argue with Jesus about going to Jerusalem, the temerity to walk on water and the bravado to let Jesus know that he was far more courageous than the other disciples, had been outsmarted by fish. He worked all night and caught nothing. Yes, he was tired and upset. He had cleaned his nets. It was time to go home and relax.

Then Jesus postpones his relaxation time, asks to use his boat. As tired as he is, he is honored. Jesus is an extremely popular teacher. But then, after teaching the crowds, Jesus looks at Peter and tells him that it is time catch fish. Peter looks askance at this carpenter-preacher. He wants to tell him that he is tired; that he knows far better than a carpenter when the fish will bite, but for once he keeps his mouth shut and does what Jesus asks. The response is overwhelming. Peter will have the best fish story in the whole region. And when something wonderful happens, we need to share good news. Simon Peter invites his friends to share in the remarkable catch. James and John experience the abundance that being with Jesus can bring. Then the light goes on in Simon Peter’s head and heart. He realizes that somehow he is in the presence of God, that he’s being caught up in an adventure for which he’s not prepared. “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”

This is the foundational religious experience for all of us, the moment of truth when we realize both our unworthiness and God’s wonderful call. This is the time when faith comes alive. Lord, I’m a sinner—all too often selfish, lazy, very limited. And Jesus smiles at us, asks to be with us, to get into our boat, and challenges us to put out into the deep and let our nets down. When we realize our unworthiness and begin to realize that this is God’s adventure, then the Lord can say to us, as He did to Simon Peter on that Galilean shore, “From now on you will catch people.”

Peace,

Father Jerry