Daily Readings - Thu Sep 02 2021
Luke
1And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,2And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.3And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.4Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.5And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.6And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.7And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.8When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.9For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:10And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.11And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, 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.