Luke 5:1-11

1 Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, 2 he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink.

8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” 11 When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.

"Lord, on your word"

On the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, along the old trade road known as the Via Maris (Way of the Sea), Jesus moved from Nazareth to live in Capernaum.

The topography and the scenery of this region remain the same today. We can enjoy its splendor and beauty where hills, the plain, fresh water and the breeze of the morning and the evening meet. There are many small fishing ports in the area. Still today, in the early morning, fishermen gather their nets and clean them after fishing the night before. Many people come to the shore to buy their fresh fish.

That night Simon, Andrew and their partners, James and John, failed to catch even a few fish. "Master, we have worked all night long and have caught nothing" (v. 5). They are exhausted and the only thing they need is rest.

Jesus cares for the fishermen and for the crowd as well. He wants them all to go deeper! He asks to use Simon's boat to teach the crowd from the sea. Jesus will not leave them empty handed. He asks them to restart, but this time on His word.

They were stunned because of the big quantity they caught. Simon kneels down after discovering that this gentleman, who is not a fisherman, has divine power that leads the most experienced fishermen to find the best.

"Don't be afraid" (v. 10) Jesus is still repeating it to us as He said to Simon. You are fishing for fish that, as soon as they are out of the water, will die. Follow me and you will fish mortal people to life, made more so through the water of Baptism.

May we reflect on the following:

When exhausted, never forget that Jesus is there.
Even when you're tired, listen to Jesus' guidance and, on His word, give things a second chance.
Offer your boat to Jesus to spread His Good News, or at least give Him a seat on your deck.
Pray for consecrated vocations to continue teaching Jesus' word from Simon's boat, which is the Church.
Think of what you need to leave in order to fully follow Jesus.

"Don't be afraid says the Lord!"