So often when we listen to the Gospel, we hear about Jesus and his disciples. Disciples are people who follow. How does someone come to be a disciple of Jesus? In the Gospel for this Sunday, we hear about the moment when Simon Peter becomes a disciple.
Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets.
All those people, pressing close to Jesus—we can almost feel how much they want to hear the Word of God. We can picture the crowd pressing closer and closer to Jesus so that they can hear, pressing him closer and closer to the water's edge! All those people pressing in on Jesus, demand his attention. We wonder how it is possible for Jesus to notice a small group of fishermen washing their nets.
He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore.
How this must surprise Simon Peter! Jesus notices him even though the crowd of people demand his attention. He speaks directly to Simon Peter. But perhaps Jesus only notices the boat. Maybe Simon Peter only matters to Jesus because he has a boat.
Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
What does Simon Peter think about while Jesus teaches the crowds? Does he think only about keeping the boat from rocking too much on the water, or does he listen to what Jesus says? Does he wonder who Jesus is? Maybe Simon Peter wonders if Jesus remembers that he sits there in the boat with him.
When he had finished speaking, Jesus said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”
This must surprise Simon Peter, too! Jesus does remember that Simon Peter sits there in the boat with him. Again, he speaks directly to Simon Peter. But perhaps Jesus only wants to go fishing. Maybe Simon Peter only matters to Jesus because he has nets.
Simon Peter says,
“Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.”
Simon Peter worked all night long; he must be very tired. He must want to go home to bed. He does not know if Jesus notices him only for his boat and for his nets, but Simon Peter listens to Jesus. Something about Jesus makes Simon Peter want to do as he asks, even if he does not matter to Jesus as a person.
When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signalled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats so that they began to sink.
If Simon Peter felt surprised before, now he must be amazed! So many fish! A ridiculous amount of fish—so many, the boats begin to sink!
But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken
Does Simon Peter want Jesus to leave because the boats begin to sink? No. He says, "I am a sinful man!" The great abundance of fish makes Simon Peter aware of his sins. He knows that this abundance is a sign of who Jesus is.
Simon Peter sat in the boat unnoticed, listening to Jesus teach.
He let down empty nets and became amazed by the sign of abundance.
Simon Peter knows that he is in the presence of God.
In the presence of God—the One who is so Good—Simon Peter knows he is not good enough.
In the presence of God—the One who is so Big—Simon Peter feels he cannot matter.
In the presence of God, his sinfulness and his littleness make Simon Peter afraid.
Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.”
Jesus speaks directly to Simon Peter. Jesus tells him not to be afraid. Now Simon Peter knows for certain that Jesus notices him. Jesus sees him.
Jesus tells Simon Peter that he will catch people. Simon Peter may not know what that means, but now he knows for certain that he matters to Jesus. Jesus wants him.
Jesus sees him. Jesus wants him. Simon Peter knows he was wrong. He is good and he matters.
When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.
Of course, Simon Peter follows Jesus. He is good and he matters.
We wondered how people come to be disciples. What do we know now? Jesus speaks directly to them, and they know he sees them and he wants them. They know they are good and they matter.
When does all this happen? When do people become disciples?
We remember that for Simon Peter, it happens after he spends time listening to the Word of God. We spend time listening to the Word of God, too.
Does Jesus speak directly to us? Does he see us? Does he want us?
We can know for certain that we are good. We can know for certain that we matter.
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