Today we hear about Jesus as He encountered His earliest disciples and called them to follow Him
Reflections on the readings for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (February 6, 2022): IS 6:1-2,3-8; PS 138:1-2,2-3,4-5,7-8; 1 COR 15:1-11; LK 5:1-11
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
“... Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.” (Luke 5:10-11)
The reading for this Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time we hear about what happens when God calls certain of His people to serve Him in a special way. Isaiah is chosen to be a great prophet; St. Paul to be an apostle and missionary; and St. Peter to be the first among the Twelve and the Rock of Christ’s Church. In each case, these individuals recognize their personal unworthiness yet willingly put their trust in God and allow Him to lead them wherever He will.
The Gospel today reveals Jesus in the early days of His ministry. He wants to address a crowd of people who have gathered on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Lake of Gennesaret. He gets into Peter’s boat and asks him to go a bit further out. When Jesus finishes speaking, He directs Peter to pull out into the deeper water and lower the nets. Peter replies that they fished all night with no results, but that he will do what Christ asks. Soon they catch enough fish to fill two boats almost to the point 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.’ For astonishment at the catch of fish they had seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.’ When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed Him” (Luke 5:8-11). Peter and, surely, the other fishermen including James and John realize the catch of fish has nothing to do with their skill but that Jesus is responsible. Jesus is Lord. He is from God. So Peter acknowledges his own sinfulness. However, far from leaving Peter and the others, Jesus calms their fear and invites them to leave behind their old way of life and to join Him. Christ tells them that instead of catching fish, He will show them how to catch people. In time, these new disciples will learn that they and others are really being caught by God out of love -- and for their redemption and the redemption of all people.
