Daily Readings - Thu Sep 02 2021
Luke
1Now it happened that, when the crowds pressed toward him, so that they might hear the word of God, he was standing beside the lake of Genesaret2And he saw two boats standing beside the lake. But the fishermen had climbed down, and they were washing their nets3And so, climbing into one of the boats, which belonged to Simon, he asked him to draw back a little from the land. And sitting down, he taught the crowds from the boat4Then, when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, "Lead us into deep water, and release your nets for a catch.5And in response, Simon said to him: "Teacher, working throughout the night, we caught nothing. But on your word, I will release the net.6And when they had done this, they enclosed such a copious multitude of fish that their net was rupturing7And they signaled to their associates, who were in the other boat, so that they would come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they were nearly submerged8But when Simon Peter had seen this, he fell down at the knees of Jesus, saying, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.9For astonishment had enveloped him, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish that they had taken10Now the same was true of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were associates of Simon. And Jesus said to Simon: "Do not be afraid. From now on, you will be catching men.11And having led their boats to land, leaving behind everything, they followed him
Sermon
The Gospel reading from Luke 5:1-11 describes a pivotal moment in the early ministry of Jesus. Surrounded by a crowd eager to hear His teachings, Jesus borrows Simon Peter’s boat to preach from the water. After finishing His message, He instructs Simon to cast his nets into the deep water for a catch, despite Simon’s earlier failed attempts. Miraculously, the nets overflow with fish, leading Simon and his companions to recognize the divine presence before them. Overcome with awe and humility, Simon confesses his sinfulness, yet Jesus responds by calling him and the others to follow Him, leaving everything behind. This scene marks the beginning of their discipleship and mission to “catch men” for the Kingdom of God.
This passage invites us to reflect on the nature of faith and trust in God’s providence. Simon, though weary and discouraged from a fruitless night of fishing, obeys Jesus’ command, and his obedience leads to an abundance beyond his wildest expectations. Similarly, we are often called to step out in faith, even when the circumstances seem unlikely or challenging. The miraculous catch of fish is not just a display of Jesus’ power but a reminder that God’s plans often exceed our limited understanding. The call to follow Jesus, like the one extended to Simon, James, and John, is a call to radical trust and surrender.
In our daily lives, we are constantly faced with opportunities to trust God, even when the path ahead seems uncertain. Like Simon, we may feel unworthy or unprepared, but God’s grace is sufficient. The lesson here is not to rely on our own strength or understanding but to surrender to His will. Let us ask ourselves: Are we willing to “cast our nets into the deep” and trust in God’s plan, even when it challenges our comfort or security? May we, like the first disciples, respond with humility and courage, leaving behind the familiar to follow Him who calls us to a life of purpose and fulfillment.