In the Gospel according to St. Luke 5:1-11, Jesus wows Simon. He had just cured Simon’s mother in law the day before. Simon was out fishing all night, as Jesus tended to the people who flocked to him. Word was getting around that Jesus could cure, as he lay hands on them to heal. That must have made him pretty worn out!
“At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place,” as the crowds sought him out, begging him to stay. He must have been thinking about how to get some rest. Or, maybe how to find and teach others to spread his message. When he “went to a deserted place,” we imagine it was to pray and ponder in silence. Just as we need to do.
In Luke’s next passage, Jesus, surrounded again by the crowd, was standing by the Lake Gennesaret (Sea of Galilee). He saw two boats alongside the lake, as the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. He got in one boat, and taught the crowds from there – the sound of his voice traveled better that way.
After a while, he told Simon to “put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Simon the fisherman, although he had fished all night with nothing to show for it, did as Jesus the carpenter directed. What convinced him to do so? Having seen his mother in law cured? He was, after all, the fisherman, who purportedly knew the sea better than a carpenter!
After lowering the nets, the fishermen on board caught “a great number of fish and their nets were tearing!” When Simon Peter saw this, he was astonished, and fell at the knees of Jesus, claiming, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” A holy fear? A realization of who Jesus was? Jesus calmed him: “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” When they arrived on shore, the fishermen “left everything and followed him.”
How clever this Son of God: he met them in their profession. With few words, he showed them who he was, what was possible. He showed them that he would provide for what they would need to heed his call. In abundance, at that!
How has Christ met you in your everyday life? A quiet drive to work in the early morning’s sunrise? Picking fresh produce in the market? An unsolicited hug from a child? An opportunity to be with a lonely friend? What lessons is he teaching us, revealing his love?
Awareness is key to knowing him. What convinces you?
Pondering Christ 
This is really beautiful. I love how you demonstrated that he met his disciples in their profession and showed them what was possible.
LikeLike
Thank you, Cackie. I pray you are doing well. How true that Jesus meets us in our everyday activities!
LikeLike