Scripture Notes: St. Peter’s Call (Luke 5

Imagine Peter, sitting in his boat cleaning and mending his fishing nets as he listens to Jesus teach the crowds gathered along the shore of the Sea of Galilee. The crowds are intent, and they push closer and closer, threatening to force Jesus right into the water. Jesus climbs into Peter’s boat and asks him to put out a little way from shore. Is Peter slightly annoyed, even for a moment? He has been working all night, after all, and he must be tired. But he complies with Jesus’ request without complaint. He does have a strong reason for gratitude, for just the night before Jesus had healed his own mother-in-law of a fever.

Jesus teaches the crowds for a while longer and then dismisses them. Then, turning to Peter, He says, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” Peter probably does a double take. They just came in from fishing not long before, and they had caught absolutely nothing all night long. He is likely bordering on exhaustion by now, and he probably just wants to go home and sleep. Yet something in him responds to Jesus’ command. “Master,” he replies, “we toiled all night and took nothing! But at Your word I will let down the nets.”

A short time later, Peter is gaping and tugging, for his nets are full of fish. He has to call his partners, James and John, in the other boat to come and help, and both boats are threatening to sink under the weight of all those fish. Peter is astounded. His humble and trusting obedience (although perhaps also somewhat reluctant) has opened the door for a miracle. He knows full well those fish were not in this part of the lake just a little while ago. Yet here they are swamping the boats.

Peter cannot help but be overwhelmed, and more than a little frightened. He falls at Jesus’ knees and gasps, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” Peter understands that he is not worthy of this miracle. In this moment of immense grace and divine abundance, he sees his sins in sharp relief. Jesus, probably with a smile, responds to Peter with great love and with a call: “Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men.”

What fills Peter’s heart at this moment? Awe? Love? Courage? Determination? Enthusiasm? Grace? All of the above? In response, he drops everything, leaves everything behind, and follows Jesus, embracing his new mission and beginning his journey from fisherman to fisher of men.