Luke 5 New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
Chapter 5
The Call of Simon the Fisherman.[a] 1 While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. 2 He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. 3 Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. 4 After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” 5 Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.” 6 When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. 7 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that they were in danger of sinking. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” 9 For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, 10 and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” 11 When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything[b] and followed him.
Comments
• When have your nets been empty in the past and how Jesus rescued you?
• What part of your life is empty now?
It is still painful to recall my empty net seasons.
I now see Jesus’s presence in my life in these moments.
Seeing Jesus’s presence there now does not erase the painful memories but rather helps me to reimagine them.
These reimagined memories remind me that I am sinner who is loved and redeemed by Jesus.
Mother Teresa’s quote
We don’t realize that Jesus is all that we need until we recognize that Jesus is all that we have.
I feel such emptiness and such fullness when I reflect upon this quote.
Deep experiences of my humanity are moments filled with unknowing, unmet hunger and thirst, powerlessness, and insecurity. In these moments I feel so vulnerable and empty.
In my vulnerability and emptiness, I realize that Jesus is all that I have and all that I need.