Isaiah 6:1-8, Psalm 138, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Luke 5:1-11
Being a fisherman, Peter knew when to call it a day when there was no catch. He knew that if he caught no fish after a day’s worth of fishing, it probably wasn’t the wisest choice to continue.
However, God’s ways are not our ways, and our Lord gave His command: “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” (Lk 5:4) There was clearly a tinge of skepticism and condescension in Peter’s reply to Jesus, as he said: “we toiled all night and took nothing! BUT at your Word, I will let down the nets.” (Lk 5:5)
The result as we know it, was a sensational catch of fish. Peter knew then that Jesus was not just a teacher but God. All his arrogance disappeared and all that was left was contrition at his sinfulness: “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord”. (Lk 5:8)
This is what it means to have a personal encounter with Jesus. Encountering Jesus does not mean we see visions of Jesus or hear His tangible voice in our heads. The surest sign for us to know that we have encountered Christ is when we come to an awareness of our littleness in the midst of God.
In the first reading, Isaiah said: “Woe is me, for I am lost; for I am a man with unclean lips!” (Isa 6:5) In the second reading, Paul says: “I am the least of the Apostles, unfit to be called one.” (1 Cor 15:9) In the Gospel, Peter said: “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord”. (Lk 5:8)
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