Fishers of Men

Today’s Gospel Text: While the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennes'aret. 2 And he saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 And when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." 5 And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets." 6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, 7 they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." 9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zeb'edee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men." 11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him. Luke 5:1-11

Reflection: To those who love it, fishes makes a great meal, whether fried or stewed, with spices or without it.

Fish is a healthy diet recommended by many and helps supply much of our body’s need for healthy protein, fat and vitamins.

Fishing is one of the oldest trades known to man and the process is tedious and interesting.  There are times when even the best fishermen comes away disappointed with their labour.

You are up against an invisible food, hidden in the deep waters and a variety that leaves you with very little choice.

To catch a large shoal of fish one needs to be equipped with a net and go into the deep in a boat, even looking at tell tale signs to lower the net in the right place.

Patience and perseverance, trusting in divine providence along with the human experience can play a big role in fishing.

When Jesus invites them to follow him with a mandate to make them fishers of men he proves it to them that he is a better fisherman than these traditional and experienced  fishermen, who confess that they have not succeeded in gathering anything in this venture that day.

With the mandate to be fishers of men, they will be trained in the school of Jesus, how to trust in divine providence and to learn from his word.

What is required of them is to be equipped with the net of the word of God and trust in his providence; an active listening to the word from the mouth of the Lord, so as to cast the net in the right place and at the right time.

Prayer: Lord, prepare my heart and mind for the great task of being your fisher of men and for which you have called me to.

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