Jesus calls us

Luke 5: 1-11
1. Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God,
2. he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets.
3. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way 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 the deep water and let down your nets for a catch."
5. Simon answered, "Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Vet if you say so, I will let down the nets."
6. When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break.
7. 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.
8. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Go away from me. Lord. for I am a sinful man!"
9. For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken;
10. and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people."
11. When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.

Three points for consideration:

• How open are we to the promptings of Jesus? As open as Simon Peter? Do we say " Yet if you say so I will... or do we not take advantage of an insight given or an opportunity presented?'
  
• Simon Peter said "Go away from me. Lord, for I am a sinful (wo)man!" For us the question is: Have I ever had occasion to say these words concerning myself or am I a comfortable Christian? Do I see things with Jesus in mind or am I very much doing what pleases me? Is it a question of "Listen Lord. your servant is speaking" rather than "Speak, Lord, your servant is listening'
  
• We heard in the reading how James, John and Simon Peter left everything and followed him. How deep is my commitment to Jesus? While we are not expected to leave everything do we leave anything? Do we ignore the refugee knocking at our door for alms? Perhaps we are like Scrooge "Are there no charities?" Following Jesus is in the doing in his name. We cannot adequately serve God on our knees.'