Luke 5: 1-11
One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He 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 signaled 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.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Step Into Deeper Purpose
Peter’s humanity is my favorite part of this story. How can Jesus possibly be asking him to put out his nets just one more time after a fruitless night of fishing? I imagine Peter, exhausted and annoyed, taking many deep breaths before essentially saying, “We fishermen have been striking out for hours, but because you’re the one asking me to go out again, I’m going to trust you.”
What happens when we say yes to God’s invitations, even when we are tired, even when our faith is waning? The life that follows after our “yes” is not necessarily going to be easy, but it will be a life in “deep water,” more closely connected to our larger purpose. Filled with abundance beyond reason. Peter had no idea what the magis of his life could be until he said yes — likely with great uncertainty — to Jesus.
God has plans for us beyond our wildest imaginations. How are you being invited to step into your deeper purpose?
—Kristy C. Parrish is the former principal at Immaculate Conception School in Fairbanks, Alaska, and a participant in Jesuit Seminars in Ignatian Leadership.
Prayer
Lord, you call me. Even when I don’t know what that looks like, I trust you. Amen.
—Jesuit Prayer team
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