Foretaste of the Sermon to Come

A little nibble of the Revised Common Lectionary

Sunday’s texts are Isaiah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, Luke 5:1-11

This Sunday’s Gospel is Simon Peter’s call story.  He knows this miracle-worker, Jesus, from his mother-in-law’s healing a few verses back.  He and his fellow fishermen had been out on the Sea of Galilee all night long, casting their heavy nets, and had been skunked.  They were back on shore, washing out their nets, probably worrying about how they’d feed their families and pay their bills, when this miracle-worker stepped into Simon’s boat and asked him to row him out a ways so he could share God’s word with the pressing crowd.  The crowd wasn’t looking for miracles, they were starving for the bounty of God’s word. 

After he finished feeding the crowd with his word, he told Simon to go to the deep part of the lake and set out his net.  Simon was wary – and weary.  He’d fished all night for naught, and now this man was asking him to fish again, in the middle of the day, no less, when this technique of deep-water fishing was never used.  Nonetheless, Simon, who had seen this miracle worker in action, said something like, “even though it was useless last night, because you say so, I will do it.”  He did, and caught a bounty that filled 2 boats and started to break their nets. 

At this catch, Simon realized it was another of this man’s miracles, and who can do a miracle, but God?  He prostrated himself at Jesus’ knee and addressed him as Lord, mirroring the Prophet Isaiah’s words when he encountered The Almighty on his throne:  “You can’t be in my presence, Holy God, because I am an unworthy sinner.”  Both Simon and Isaiah knew that you couldn’t see God and survive.  But Jesus said, “Do not be afraid!”  (that’s what you say when you are announcing God.)  Fear Not!  “Don’t be afraid of the fish, Simon, that was to get your attention and to take care of your family.  Now I’m going to teach you how to catch people!”  Jesus didn’t ask, either.  He made it so with his word.

Simon, James and John left their boats and their catch on the shore that very moment and the rest is history.  Jesus met them in their daily lives, in their vocation, and even as he called them away, he left a bounty in their wake. Thanks be to God!