Sunday, Feb 9th, 2025: Let Go, Let God
Gospel, Luke 5:1-11
1 Now it happened that he was standing one day by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the crowd pressing round him listening to the word of God,
2 when he caught sight of two boats at the water’s edge. The fishermen had got out of them and were washing their nets.
3 He got into one of the boats — it was Simon’s — and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
4 When he had finished speaking he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water and pay out your nets for a catch.’
5 Simon replied, ‘Master, we worked hard all night long and caught nothing, but if you say so, I will pay out the nets.’
6 And when they had done this they netted such a huge number of fish that their nets began to tear,
7 so they signaled to their companions in the other boat to come and help them; when these came, they filled both boats to sinking point.
8 When Simon Peter saw this he fell at the knees of Jesus saying, ‘Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man.’
9 For he and all his companions were completely awestruck at the catch they had made;
10 so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were Simon’s partners. But Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on it is people you will be catching.’
11 Then, bringing their boats back to land they left everything and followed him.
Lessons Learned from Luke 5:1-11
1. Obedience to God’s Command: Even though Simon Peter and his companions were experienced fishermen and had caught nothing all night, they obeyed Jesus’ command to cast their nets once more. Their obedience led to an abundant catch of fish. This teaches us the importance of trusting and obeying God’s instructions, even when they may not make sense to us.
2. Faith in God’s Provision: Simon Peter’s willingness to follow Jesus’ directive, despite previous failures, demonstrates faith in God’s provision. When we have faith, God can provide for us in ways beyond our understanding and expectations.
3. Humility and Repentance: Simon Peter’s reaction to the miraculous catch—falling at Jesus’ knees and acknowledging his own sinfulness—shows humility and repentance. Recognizing our own shortcomings and seeking forgiveness is a vital aspect of our spiritual journey.
4. God’s Call to Service: Jesus’ call to Simon Peter, James, and John to become “fishers of people” signifies a shift from their previous profession to a new mission of spreading the gospel and bringing others to Christ. This illustrates that God can call us to serve in ways we might not anticipate, and we should be open to His calling.
5. Impact of Jesus’ Presence: The presence of Jesus in the lives of the fishermen transformed an ordinary day into an extraordinary one. This reminds us that Jesus’ presence in our lives can bring about profound changes and miracles.
Call to Action
1. Trust in God’s Guidance: In moments of doubt or uncertainty, trust in God’s guidance and obey His commands. Even when things seem challenging or unclear, have faith that God has a plan for you.
2. Embrace Humility: Acknowledge your own limitations and seek God’s forgiveness for your shortcomings. Humility and repentance are essential for spiritual growth.
3. Be Open to God’s Call: Be attentive to God’s calling in your life. Whether it’s a new mission, a change in direction, or a call to serve others, be open and willing to follow where He leads.
4. Share the Good News: Just as the disciples were called to be “fishers of people,” we are also called to share the message of God’s love and salvation with others. Look for opportunities to spread the gospel and positively impact those around you.
5. Invite Jesus into Your Life: Welcome Jesus into every aspect of your life. His presence can bring about transformation, blessings, and miracles beyond your expectations. By applying these lessons and taking actionable steps, we can grow in our faith and live out our calling as followers of Christ.
Reading 1, Isaiah 6:1-2, 3-8
1 In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne; his train filled the sanctuary.
2 Above him stood seraphs, each one with six wings: two to cover its face, two to cover its feet and two for flying;
3 and they were shouting these words to each other: Holy, holy, holy is Yahweh Sabaoth. His glory fills the whole earth.
4 The door-posts shook at the sound of their shouting, and the Temple was full of smoke.
5 Then I said: ‘Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, Yahweh Sabaoth.’
6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding in its hand a live coal which it had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs.
7 With this it touched my mouth and said: ‘Look, this has touched your lips, your guilt has been removed and your sin forgiven.’
8 I then heard the voice of the Lord saying: ‘Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I, send me.’
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-8
1 [Of David] I thank you, Yahweh, with all my heart, for you have listened to the cry I uttered. In the presence of angels I sing to you,
2 I bow down before your holy Temple. I praise your name for your faithful love and your constancy; your promises surpass even your fame.
3 You heard me on the day when I called, and you gave new strength to my heart.
4 All the kings of the earth give thanks to you, Yahweh, when they hear the promises you make;
5 they sing of Yahweh’s ways, ‘Great is the glory of Yahweh!’
7 Though I live surrounded by trouble you give me life — to my enemies’ fury! You stretch out your right hand and save me,
8 Yahweh will do all things for me. Yahweh, your faithful love endures for ever, do not abandon what you have made.
Reading 2, First Corinthians 15:1-11
1 I want to make quite clear to you, brothers, what the message of the gospel that I preached to you is; you accepted it and took your stand on it,
2 and you are saved by it, if you keep to the message I preached to you; otherwise your coming to believe was in vain.
3 The tradition I handed on to you in the first place, a tradition which I had myself received, was that Christ died for our sins, in accordance with the scriptures,
4 and that he was buried; and that on the third day, he was raised to life, in accordance with the scriptures;
5 and that he appeared to Cephas; and later to the Twelve;
6 and next he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still with us, though some have fallen asleep;
7 then he appeared to James, and then to all the apostles.
8 Last of all he appeared to me too, as though I was a child born abnormally.
9 For I am the least of the apostles and am not really fit to be called an apostle, because I had been persecuting the Church of God;
10 but what I am now, I am through the grace of God, and the grace which was given to me has not been wasted. Indeed, I have worked harder than all the others — not I, but the grace of God which is with me.
11 Anyway, whether it was they or I, this is what we preach and what you believed.
