Pastor’s Corner 09.02.2025
This Sunday’s Gospel passage recounts the miraculous catch of fish by Jesus’ first disciples. The successful catch is the result of Peter placing his trust in the words of Jesus, to “let down the nets,” even after a futile night of fishing, and trusting that great things will happen. And they do.
Is this Gospel text primary about catching fish? In fact, it is more about the transformation that comes in surrendering totally to Jesus, as did Peter. What Jesus wished to emphasize to Peter and his companions, is that they will be “fishers of men,” which is symbolized by the enormous amount of fish they catch under Jesus’ command.
The really important miracle that takes place in the story of the abundant catch of fish, is the change that takes place in Peter through his obedience to Jesus, who is Lord of all and Head of the Church.
An important message of Jesus to Peter is “do not be afraid.” These are the same words Jesus uses after his Resurrection, to assure his followers that he is Savior of all, who promises the consolation of God’s Holy Spirit to all who put their trust in God. Just as Peter drew fish out of the water, so everyone who is baptized into Christ is brought out from the water to new life, on solid ground, namely as members of the Body of Christ, the Church.
At the beginning of this Sunday’s Gospel text the people are pictured as eagerly pressing forward to hear Jesus. This fact underlines the personality and attractiveness of Jesus and his message. The first followers of Jesus, as well and Peter and the other apostles, are to be models for us. Their eagerness to hear and embrace the word of God changed their lives forever and made them pillars of the Church. We are called to do likewise.
How best to do that? By living in the present, being attentive to those with whom we live, work, study, shop—whatever we are doing on any given day. It may not be a glamorous existence we are called to, but a gracious and generous one nonetheless.
The German Jesuit Father Alfred Delp, who died resisting Nazism in 1945, wrote the following lines, which sum up well the humble but noble task we are called to as Christians:
“When through one person a little more love and goodness, a little more light and truth comes into the world, then that person’s life has had meaning.”