Feb. 6th - 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

(Is 6:1-2a, 3-8; 1 Cor 15:1-11; Lk 5:1-11)

Today's Gospel tells how Simon, James and John became committed disciples of Jesus. They were fishermen, just minding their own business on the Lake of Gennesaret. They just had a bad night of fishing and were cleaning their nets. They probably were not in a good mood. But they can't even clean their nets in peace. A crowd shows up following a Jesus. Simon had been introduced to Jesus by his brother Andrew some time earlier, but Simon was not yet a follower of Jesus. He may have seen it as quite an imposition to have to deal with the unexpected crowd. He could have asked the group to move along, but something about this preacher resonated with him. So when Jesus gets in Simon's boat and asks him to pull out a little ways, Simon complies, despite his frustration at not catching anything all night. We don't know what Jesus said as he taught the crowd from the boat, but at some point Jesus imposes on Simon even more by asking him to put out into deep water and lower his nets for a catch. Simon and the others are tired and probably grouchy. Putting out the nets will mean having to clean them again. So not only was the night of fishing a waste of time, but so is the time they just spent cleaning their nets. Despite all these reasons for telling this preacher man this was not a good time, Simon does the opposite. He again complies with the request of Jesus and puts out into deep water and lowers his nets, but not without a little dig at what a waste of time it will probably be. The contrast between Simon's expectations and the miracle that followed could not have been more striking. In a flash Simon is struck with the realization that there was something about this man that was more valuable than all the fish in the lake. Simon's reaction is one of abject humility. Simon does not even feel worthy to be near this man as he says “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” Jesus quickly puts him at ease and welcomes him into his company, telling him “do not be afraid.”

• Why is Simon so accommodating of Jesus' requests before Simon even became a follower? What does that say about Simon and what does that say about Jesus and his teachings?
• Simon knew the fishing business well, but he left it all and embarked on the unknown business of “catching men”. As we consider our call to evangelization, what are some of the scarier aspects of following that call?
• Jesus could have performed any sort of miracle to impress Simon. What do you suppose is the significance of catching a super abundance of fish following the guidance of Jesus?