5th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today, we will reflect on the story of Simon’s call and the miraculous catch of fish.
Jesus began preaching along the shore of the Sea of Galilee. As the crowd listening to him began to grow, he looked around and saw two boats along the shore. They belonged to Simon and his partners, Zebedee, and his sons, James and John. He asked to use one of the boats as a stage so that the people might hear him better.
When he had finished teaching, he told Simon to take the boat out to deeper water and to cast his nets. Fishing was often done at night, and Simon was just coming off a very unsuccessful night. He had caught nothing. Reluctantly, Simon obeyed the request. To everyone’s surprise, there was such a tremendous catch that Simon had to call his partners to bring their boats over to assist him. The catch filled both boats!
Simon fell to his knees, overwhelmed by an intense sense of sinfulness. The others stood there, struck with astonishment. Jesus reassured them, telling them, “Do not be afraid.” He then said, “From now on, you will be catching men.” However, the event and Jesus’ words were so powerful that “when they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.”
Pope John Paul II, addressing the massive crowds that attended his Masses and gatherings around the world, often quoted Jesus’ words, “Do not be afraid.” Pope Francis repeats those exact words. They’re directed to every person who hears in their heart the invitation, “Follow me.” It’s the greatest moment in a person’s life but the scariest, too. Where will the path lead?
The catch of fish was a prophetic act. It taught us that by placing ourselves in God’s hands and allowing ourselves to be guided by God, we would see tremendous and unheard-of things. Through our faith, God will gather humankind in an embrace of divine love.
Prayer:
God of love, may we hear the words, be not afraid, and trust that you will guide us to respond to your call to embrace your divine love into our world today. Amen.
