Luke 5:4, 6, 8-10 (NRSV)
Read Luke 5:4, 6, 8-10 on biblegateway.com
Verse 4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." Verse 6When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. Verse 8But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" Verse 9For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; Verse 10and 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."
Devotion
In Jesus' day, fishing was Galilee's major industry. So Jesus went to the fishermen in the midst of their work and issued a divine call. Throughout the Bible we find stories of God calling people: Abraham, Moses, Samuel and the prophets. They are called unexpectedly out of their ordinary lives. And they tend to object to the call. Peter here reminds us of Isaiah, who responded with, "Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips" (Isaiah 6:5). When God calls us, we see our lack of talent and overabundance of sin.
God responds with assuring words: Do not be afraid. ... I will be with you. And God always gives us a mission. The mission God gives to the disciples on that great fishing day becomes our mission too: Our fishing days have a new objective. We are called to call others, to come and see and taste and know the new reality, overflowing with an abundance of fish.
Prayer
Lord, we hear you call. We see the abundance you offer. Help us share this abundance with the world.
Amen.