Psalm of Praise: Psalms 106:1-3
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord or fully declare his praise?
Blessed are those who act justly, who always do what is right.
Bible Reading: Luke 5:3-7, Matthew 4:19-20
Jesus got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon,
"Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch."
Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything.
But because you say so, I will let down the nets."
When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signalled their partners in the other boat to come and help them,
and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people."
At once they left their nets and followed him.
A Reflection:
Four of Jesus’ key disciples were fishermen, the two sets of brothers, Peter and Andrew, and their friends James and John. The gospel writers tell us of different incidents where they encountered Jesus. Andrew was previously a disciple of John the Baptist and later, when he met Jesus, he took Peter to meet him.
Here in this incident the brothers have been out fishing all night and caught nothing. Tired after an exhausting and fruitless night’s work, they were washing their nets out before heading off home for a well-earned rest. And then Jesus asks Peter and Andrew to lend their boat to Jesus as a makeshift pulpit so that he can teach the crowds.
I wonder how I might have responded in that situation. Would I feel put-upon, in a hurry to get back home, or would I be happy to sit and listen to this impromptu sermon?
Having taught the crowds, Jesus instructs Peter to take his boat out into deep water and let down his nets. Peter does as Jesus requested and catches so many fish they need both boats to land the catch. At this point Jesus calls the disciples to follow him and they do so.
These were busy people. They had family businesses to run. Peter we know had a wife to support and James and John were in business with their father. They were busy, they could have made various excuses, but instead they left their nets and followed him.
When we encounter Jesus in our lives, it is good to check our priorities. May we never be too busy to make what we have available for Jesus to use when he asks, whether it is our workplace or our home. And let us make sure that we are never too busy to follow him when he calls. Obedience leads to blessing, as the great haul of fish demonstrates.
Pray:
Father God, thank you that we are all created in your wonderful image.
Give me eyes to see your image in everyone I meet today.
Amen
Will you come and follow me?
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