PETER'S FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS

V SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: Lk 5:1-11

God takes the initiative

In the Bible, we can find time and again God taking the initiative in his relationship with man. In the gospels, we find the same attitude from Jesus. He is the one who gives the first step, addressing us and making an encounter with him possible. In this sunday's gospel, we can find that with Simon Peter. Jesus went into his boat and asked for a favor, a favor that Simon could easily do.

Once he finished speaking to the crowd, Jesus gave Simon a command: Go into deep water and let down your nets to catch some fish. This command sounds more like an invitation, maybe a plea or even a promise of reward. Jesus had noticed the baskets empty and the nets dry. And Simon, tired and disappointed, complained saying: We worked all night in vain, having caught nothing. He would prefer to go home for a good rest, and then come back, waiting for better luck.

In obedience to his word

Jesus' words were not a promise, and Simon might have ignored them. However, he was the kind of person who never gives up, even when he finds himself in deep trouble. Even if one fails, he should try again. And so Simon concluded: "if you say so, I will let down the nets”; or, "At your word, I will let down the nets."

This obedience to Jesus' word - or this willingness to be guided by Jesus' word - was rewarded beyond any expectation. They caught so much fish that the nets were breaking. The Lord gives always far more that we deserve or expect. However, he never does that without our contribution and participation. Peter had to overcome his discouragement, tiredness and disappointment and had to do the physical work of paddling the boat into deep waters and of casting the nets. Then, he had to ask his friends for help. The same happens with salvation. It is a gift that we do not deserve, as Simon realised with his catch of fish. It is a gift which comes from God's mercy and love. However, we will not find salvation without our willingness to participate and our readiness to work for it. 

Simon becomes aware of his sinfulness

The super-abundance of the catch opened Simon's eyes, enabling him to understand the sign (the miracle). Realising that he was in God's presence, Simon became aware of his sinfulness. He knelt before Jesus, in an attitude of adoration, and, addressing Jesus as LORD, said: "Go away, for I am a sinful man".

In God's presence, we cannot fail to see our shortcomings, failures and sins. Isaiah had a similar attitude, when he said: "I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have looked at the King, the Lord of Hosts." (Is 6:5). To be cleansed, forgiven and accepted, we must have that same attitude of Simon, Isaiah and so many others.

Once we do that, we will hear like Simon, the reassuring word: "Do not be afraid". The encounter with Jesus brings peace and fulfilment. And it is at the same time a call: "From now on you will be catching people". Simon will become Peter and he will be entrusted with a mission.