In Luke's Gospel, Jesus first encounters Simon when He enters his house and instantly heals Simon's mother-in-law (Lk 4:38-39). Though some people would not rejoice if their mother-in-law was healed, Simon was apparently impressed enough to be open to letting Jesus use his boat as a pulpit (Lk 5:3). Some people would not allow Jesus to use their workplace as His forum, but Simon was impressed enough and humble enough to accept Jesus' offer to help him in his business (Lk 5:4-5).

Jesus had touched Simon by His ministry in Simon's home and workplace. However, what converted Simon was when Jesus showed His absolute and miraculous lordship over Simon's work. Simon was a professional fisherman and Jesus, a Carpenter (Mk 6:3), was not. When Jesus convinced Simon by the miraculous catch of fish (Lk 5:6) that He was Lord of fishermen, Simon accepted Jesus as his "Lord" (Lk 5:8), confessed his sinfulness, and fell to his knees before Jesus. He became a completely new man in Jesus, to the point that, after this, Jesus will refer to Simon as Peter, the Rock.

What is your area of expertise? What do you spend most of your day doing? That's the prime area of your life to invite Jesus to operate freely. When you give Jesus free rein in that area, He will, out of love for you, let you realize "the immeasurable scope of His power" (Eph 1:19). That's the place where you'll come to know just how great a Lord He is. Let Jesus be Lord of your best.

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 8, 2005

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