Daily Readings - Thu Sep 02 2021
Luke
1On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret,2and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets.3Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat.4And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch."5And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets."6And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking.7They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.8But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord."9For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken,10and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men."11And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and 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.