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GOSPEL | Luke 5:1-11
While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening
to the word of God,
he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret.
He saw two boats there alongside the lake;
the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets.
Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon,
he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore.
Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon,
"Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch."
Simon said in reply,
"Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing,
but at your command I will lower the nets."
When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish
and their nets were tearing.
They signaled to their partners in the other boat
to come to help them.
They came and filled both boats
so that the boats were in danger of sinking.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said,
"Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man."
For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him
and all those with him,
and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee,
who were partners of Simon.
Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid;
from now on you will be catching men."
When they brought their boats to the shore,
they left everything and followed him.
EVERY WEEK QUESTION
What struck you? Challenged you? Inspired you? What questions did it raise?
GOING DEEPER
Have you ever been exhausted, convinced your efforts were in vain, only to be surprised by an unexpected grace?
Peter and his fellow fishermen had worked all night without success. They were professionals—this was their livelihood—yet their experience and skill had failed them. Imagine their frustration as they cleaned their nets, preparing for another long, uncertain night of work. Then Jesus enters the scene and gives a command that seems, from a purely human perspective, pointless: “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Peter’s response is one of reluctant obedience—“Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command, I will lower the nets.”
What follows is a miracle, but more than that, it is a revelation. The catch is so large that their nets begin to break, their boats nearly sink, and Peter is overwhelmed. But his reaction is key: rather than celebrating the success, he falls to his knees, crying out, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”
This moment reveals a powerful truth about encountering God: the closer we come to His holiness, the more we recognize our own unworthiness. Peter’s response echoes Isaiah’s in his heavenly vision: “Woe is me, I am a man of unclean lips” (Isaiah 6:5). The presence of God is not comfortable—it exposes us, revealing both His glory and our sinfulness. And yet, Christ does not reject Peter. Instead, He reassures him: “Do not be afraid; from now on, you will be catching men.”
This passage also speaks to the struggle of control and self-reliance. Studies in psychology confirm that humans tend to overestimate their own control over outcomes (Langer, 1975, "Illusion of Control"). We believe that if we work hard enough, plan well enough, or rely on our expertise, we can guarantee success. Peter’s empty nets remind us that apart from Christ, even our best efforts can come up short. But with Him, even what seems futile can bear immense fruit.
The Catechism (CCC 2559) teaches that humility is the foundation of prayer: “Humility is the disposition of one who freely acknowledges that he is a beggar before God.” Peter’s transformation begins when he surrenders—when he stops relying on his own strength and responds to Christ’s call. The moment he admits his inadequacy, Jesus calls him to something greater.
This passage invites us to ask: Where in our lives are we clinging to self-reliance, afraid to trust in Christ’s word? Do we avoid deeper waters because we fear failure? Are we willing to leave everything—our plans, comforts, and self-sufficiency—when Jesus calls us to follow Him?
LIFE APPLICATION QUESTIONS
Surrendering control: Where in your life do you rely on your own strength rather than trusting in God? How can you take a step of faith and surrender control to Him this week?
Responding to God’s call: Peter left everything to follow Christ. What comforts, attachments, or fears might be holding you back from fully embracing His call?
Seeing failure through God's eyes: Have you ever experienced frustration or failure in your work, relationships, or personal efforts? How might God be using these moments to invite you into something deeper?
LIVE IT
Going around, affirm one particular way that person has inspired you by his/her trust in God’s call, especially in the face of uncertainty. Encourage him/her.
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