“Duc in altum et laxate retia vestra in capturam” – “Cast out into the deep, and let down your nets for a catch” (Luke 5:4). These are the words our Lord says to Peter on the shores of Lake Gennesaret. Peter, though he had toiled fruitlessly all night, obeys Jesus’ words and casts out into the deep once more. The result is nearly fatal. Peter’s catch is so large that his boat begins to sink – and his sinfulness, now revealed by the power of Jesus, is fully apparent. “Depart from me”, Peter says, “for I am a sinful man, O Lord” (Luke 5:8). Jesus, however, does not depart from Peter. Instead, He gives Peter a mission. The time for fishing is over. Henceforth, Peter “will be catching men” (Luke 5:10).
There are three points that we can draw from today’s gospel. First, the command of Jesus to “launch out into the deep” singles Peter out from the other disciples. While the English translation fails to catch this nuisance, the Latin Vulgate and the Greek original do not. Both the Greek and the Latin use the singular imperative: duc in altum. In other words, Jesus says, “Peter, you cast out into the deep”. The Latin word duc, from which we get our English word duke, is derived from ducere, which means to lead. Thus, Jesus commands Peter to lead the rest of his crew, comprised of James and John, into the deep. The command to “let down your nets”, however, uses the plural imperative – laxate. This command is addressed to the entire group. All are expected to help in the harvest. Peter leads, but all let down the net for a catch. Of course, Jesus is laying the groundwork for when he will institute Peter as the head of the Apostles – the first Pope. But Peter is not alone, he is surrounded by his brother Apostles, the first bishops, who help him to draw in the nets.
Second, Peter’s response to Jesus’ command is grounded in faith. “At the word” of Jesus, Peter obeys (Luke 5:5). This is the same Word through which “all things were made” (John 1:3). The same Word that “was in the beginning with God” (John 1:2). The same “Word that was God” (John 1:1). This Word is utterly trustworthy and will never fail to accomplish all that He says. However, in order to receive the grace He has in store for us, we must respond to Him in faith. And what does Jesus have in store for us? A catch of fish so large that it causes our boat to sink? Now, the prospect of sinking in a boat full of fish, unless you’re a fisherman, is not ideal. This overwhelming supply of fish, however, points to the overwhelming store of grace that Jesus wants to give us. Would that we could receive all that He has in store for us! He is prepared to flood us with grace, if only we respond in faith.
Third, despite Peter’s sinfulness, Jesus still calls him. In light of Jesus’ power, Peter knows that he is a sinful man. He even asks Jesus to depart from him. Peter is not suffering from an anxiety disorder or a poor self-image. He is simply recognizing the universal plight of humanity when faced with the power of God. As the prophet Isaiah said “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts” (Isaiah 6:5). Peter has seen the King. Yet, the King – Jesus Christ – does not wish to destroy us. Rather, He wishes to share His sacred mission with us. Jesus invites everyone to become fishers of men.
In the calling of the first disciples, Jesus reminds us of His overwhelming grace and of His call to action. Let us always remember that he has placed Peter as our leader. Let us always remember that a single drop of His grace could flood the whole world. And let us always remember that despite our sinfulness, He still calls us to assist in His sacred mission – the salvation of souls.
Ian Mahood – St. Joseph Seminary, Edmonton, Alberta
Fot. Ravi Pinisetti/Unsplash.com