Don't tell ME what to do!

 

St. Peter was a fisherman.  It’s how he supported his family, so it makes sense that he would know where the fish would likely swam in thick schools when the winds blew from different directions onto Lake Gennesaret, what times of day or night were best for hauling in full nets, and what seasons were ideal.  And he knew this lake well, having been born and raised in Galilee.

By contrast, Jesus had no such skill or knowledge.  He was a dazzling preacher and teacher, and maybe a skilled carpenter, but not a fisherman.  So why should Simon take His advice about fishing?  (Luke 5:1-11)

This passage is not only about the physical miracle of catching fish; rather, it’s much more about the mission of evangelizing souls and accomplishing the mission of God.  And the symbolism of putting out into the “deep water” tells us that we must be all in and fully committed if we’re to evangelize and spread the Word of God as we’re called to do.

When we listen to God and act on His word, committing ourselves to His will in a radical and deep way, He’ll produce an abundant catch of souls.  This “catch” will come in an unexpected way at an unexpected time and will clearly be the work of God. 

But think about what would have happened if Simon would’ve laughed and told Jesus, “Sorry, Lord, I’m done fishing for the day.  Maybe tomorrow.”   If Simon would have acted this way he would never have been blessed with this abundant catch.  The same is true with us.  If we fail to listen to the voice of God in our lives, and fail to heed His radical commands, we won’t be used in the way He desires to use us.

Sometimes all of us object to God’s suggestions and guidance.  We think we know best, despite the promptings of the Holy Spirit to go in a different direction.

God’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8).  Sometimes God is constantly asking us to go where we’d rather not, to change when it’s uncomfortable and to take risks when we’re very afraid.  That’s when we should take time to go off by ourselves in prayer and listen in quiet for the movements of the Spirit within to lead us, often to uncomfortable, risky places.

“Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command we will lower the nets.” The result so astonished Simon and his buddies that they left everything, including their preconceived notions of how to live their lives, and followed him.  This is what conversion is – a surrender of our entire being to God’s ways.  Will we take the risk?