Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret.  He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets.  Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.  After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”  Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.”  When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing.  They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them.  They came and filled both boats so that the boats were in danger 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 made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. 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: 1-11

In this Sunday’s gospel, Jesus calls us in faith, to “go into the deep.” This is a challenge for us to broaden our vision in order to see beyond the limits of our horizons to see how God travels with us in the deep and unfamiliar events of our lives.

The Gospel passage tells of the disciples in the boat fishing. They caught nothing. Jesus challenged them to cast their nets further than they usually fish. Despite telling Jesus that they have been fishing all night and that they were tired, they followed Jesus' request and caught more fish than they could handle.

Jesus’ appearances to his disciples were his commitment that he will never abandon them or us. It seems as if at the moment we are ready to give up, Jesus steps in and a miracle takes place. The result is that we are amazed and astonished by what has been done for us.

God is a God of surprises who calls us to put our trust in him in order who see from a different perspective God’s love and mercy in our lives. Jesus comes to us at our deepest moments of need. He encourages us with the simple request, “Be not afraid.”

We are all being called to be disciples. Even in our fear and doubts, God encourages us to serve the kingdom. Jesus sees in us what we may not see in ourselves. Each time we say “yes” to God and really put it into practice, we encourage someone to step out in faith.  Let us take some time to embrace the call to discipleship and let Christ shine in our hearts and lead us to light.