Hearing The Word

A weekly newsletter delivering context and insight into the Sunday Gospels.

Finding Peace In Surrender

~ Rev. Paul A. Galetto, OSA

Pastor, Saint Paul Parish + Philadelphia, Pa.

Comparing this passage to the similar stories in Mark (1:16ff; 4:1-2) and Matthew (4:18ff; 13:1-3) helps better understand Luke’s message. The passage before this in Luke has Jesus stating that he must proclaim the good news – the Word of God. In Luke, the healing of the mother-in-law comes after the commissioning of Simon Peter, not before.

Only Luke mentions that the boat belongs to Simon. Fishing on the Sea of Galilee was usually done during the night because the heat of the day would drive the fish to seek the cooler waters at the bottom of the sea. While Simon acquiesces to the request of Jesus to put out his nets again after an all-night expedition that yielded little, one can only imagine that Simon was none-too-happy to do so, especially if he had gone through the labor-intensive move of storing the nets. Nonetheless, the word of command is given and Simon, despite his protest to the son of a carpenter unknowing of the ways of fishermen, obeys in the face of apparent absurdity. The response is one of awe (Greek: thambos which is used only by Luke) and astonishment.

Facing the manifestation of the power of the word given by Jesus, Simon Peter realizes his unworthiness and sinfulness (just as Isaiah in today’s first reading). He is fearful of the Lord’s presence. He initially referred to Jesus as “Master”; now he calls him “Lord” – an acknowledgement of power and authority. The Lord speaks words of assurance to Peter: Do not fear. The same assurance that was spoken to Mary (1:30) and the shepherds (2:10). Faithfulness to the Lord’s commands results in peace and well-being. This catch was not given to compensate for the frustration of the night before, but to demonstrate the authority of Jesus and the ministry to which Simon and the others are being called.

Simon is singled out for a commission. He is to be a zogron of people, a word that implies “capturing” or “taking alive” (not “hunting” or “killing”). Being “caught” by the Apostles results not in death but in life.

A life-changing act of trust

~ Cheryl Kehoe Rodgers

Saint Patrick Church + Norristown, Pa.

This week’s Gospel shares with us the origins of the chosen 12 – the Apostles. We meet Simon Peter, a fisherman, and after a brief interaction, Jesus tells Simon to follow him, and Jesus will teach him to be a fisher of men.

Simon Peter could have easily walked away from Jesus when the teacher instructed him to “put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch."  Simon Peter had been on the water all night, with no success. What would be different now?

But Simon Peter didn’t walk away. He didn’t ignore Jesus’ instructions, despite being exhausted from a hard night’s labor. Simon Peter did the one thing that changed everything – he put his trust in Jesus.

This week’s scripture reading is a beautiful example of the good that happens when we put our trust in Jesus. Trusting in Jesus, and having confidence in his love, can, indeed, be life-changing.

I have a tremendous fear of flying. Petrified is not an over-statement. But the last time I got on an airplane, I took with me some insurance. I put my trust in Jesus. As I matured into my faith I came to know that if I accepted God’s plan for me, whatever that plan is, it’s the best thing for me…it’s what God wants from me. So, armed with that insurance, I settled in my seat, tightened my seat belt, closed my eyes, and let Jesus take over.

That one flight taught me that if I trust Jesus, trust his plan and trust his love for me – well, the stress dissipates, the anxiety falls away, and a calmness and confidence settles over me.

Simon Peter put his trust in Jesus that day on the Lake of Gennesaret – and that one act of trust from him proved to be life-changing, for all of us.