[1] 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.


The Call of the Disciples

The call of the disciples is significant in that it begins our Lord's public ministry. Luke's account indicates this is Jesus' first attempt to gather followers. Their function was to learn the master's teachings, and to observe and imitate his actions, so as to teach others about the Kingdom of God and eternal life.

Although Luke points out there was a period of time between today's calling of Simon, James and John and the appointing of the 12 apostles, the three fishermen who were singled out to be fishers of men, begin the process of gathering followers.

This period of time allowed those who chose to follow our Lord the necessary time to build and cement a relationship. When Christ suggests that Simon and the others begin fishing again, although they were no doubt very exhausted and were certainly unsuccessful, Simon Peter knew something from the past which made him try again.
This is important to keep in mind.

We know how the story moves forward. After the great catch of fish, Simon Peter calls Christ 'Lord' where previously he had simply been 'Master', Christ suggests they begin fishing for men, and once they reach the shore, they leave everything and follow him.

A skeptic can offer that the disciples were a bit compulsive in their actions. What would make them give up their livelihood, leave family, based simply on one experience, on just one interaction? Elsewhere, the Lord even rebukes those who act so spontaneously in order to follow him. Christ, it can be said with much conviction, does not call his disciples to follow him with such swiftness.

But in terms of this morning's account, to follow with such immediacy and passion certainly indicates a previous relationship between Christ and the three disciples. This relationship allowed them to build upon a foundation which had already been laid

What is significant to remember from today's gospel account is that Christ called ordinary people to follow him. Fishermen certainly would qualify as ordinary. The gospel is full of examples of ordinary people who are the true images of Christianity and holiness of life. Ordinary people like you and I, can often do extraordinary things.

Beloved, it is through a continual process that we are called to follow Christ, and meet the demands he lays down. The entire process builds and strengthens the relationship. Discipleship happens with more intensity when we begin to leave behind small pieces of our life which previously held us back in our desire to join his ministry.

None of us are too ordinary to follow Christ - or to hear his call to a life of discipleship and communion with him. Simon Peter, as was the case with all the disciples, was consumed with a feeling of unworthiness.

But Christ tells Peter, as he tells us each day, "Do not be afraid."

Fr. Marc Vranes
September 23, 2007

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