Is 6:1-2, 3-8; 1 Cor 15:1-11; Lk 5:1-11
What would make you decide to abandon your job and get another? A higher salary? A more civilized kind of work? An office closer to home? A friendlier or healthier working atmosphere? A more affable employer? Or all of the above? The Bible commentator John Pilch suggests that the Lord’s invitation to some fishermen to leave their livelihood and to follow him is rightly understood in the context of this question.
From the gospel, we learn that Peter and his brother Andrew had a fishing business partnership with another pair of brothers, namely, James and John (Lk 5:10). They owned and managed two boats (5:2). During the time of Jesus, fish was a popular commodity in the Mediterranean world, and it is realistic to presuppose that the business partnership of Peter and company flourished. But what prompted them to leave everything and follow Jesus (5:11)?
We are sure that Jesus did not offer a better earning livelihood to Peter and the other fishermen. He did not also promise them a more sanitized kind of work, not even a nearby working place because they were supposed to do missionary work. Most likely, it was only the person of Jesus that had greatly attracted the fishermen.
The miraculous catch of fish deeply jolted Peter. Before this event, he already had witness the Lord’s exorcisms and healing miracles (including the healing of his mother-in-law). But the big haul of fish that came on a day following a whole night of unsuccessful fishing was simply too much for a veteran fisherman to take for granted. Close to Jesus, Peter could not tolerate his own unworthiness. “Depart from me for I am a sinful man, O Lord” (Lk 5:8). The feelings of fear and shame are a natural reaction of a human being in the presence of the divine. The same thing was felt by the prophet Isaiah in our first reading: he was filled with fear and overwhelming recognition of his sinfulness (Is 6:5).
Instead of condemnation, Peter and the other disciples received from the Lord an invitation to discipleship and ministry. “Do not be afraid; from now on it is men you will catch” (Lk 5:10). Jesus was like telling the fishermen: “Don’t feel bad about yourself. Come and be my co-worker. Together, let us catch people for the kingdom of my Father.”
In a Church, a sign is posted which says, “Jesus does not call the qualified; he qualifies the called.” This message should inspire us all to follow the Lord and to work for him and with him. The Lord’s invitation to Peter and company is now our invitation. Jesus needs us because the “harvest is plenty, but the laborers are few” (Mt 9:37). Let us not be discouraged by our own weaknesses and shortcomings; rather, we have to remain trustful in the graciousness and kindness of the Lord who calls us.
Who among us is worthy to serve the Lord? Nobody, not even the pope! But who are we to question the ways of God?
Somebody sent this message from an unknown author via email:
The next time you feel like God can’t use you, just remember:
Noah was a drunk,
Abraham was too old,
Isaac was a daydreamer,
Jacob was a liar,
Leah was ugly,
Joseph was abused,
Moses had a stuttering problem,
Gideon was afraid,
Samson had long hair and was a womanizer,
Rahab was a prostitute,
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young,
David had an affair and was a murderer,
Elijah was suicidal,
Isaiah preached naked,
Jonah ran from God,
Naomi was a widow,
Job went bankrupt,
John the Baptist ate bugs,
Peter denied Christ,
the Disciples fell asleep while praying,
Martha worried about everything,
the Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once,
Zaccheus was too small,
Paul was a religious fanatic,
Timothy had an ulcer, and,
Lazarus was dead!
No more excuses now. God can use you to your full potential. Besides you aren’t the message, you are just the messenger.
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