lower the nets
"If You say so, I will lower the nets." —Luke 5:5
When Jesus gives Peter a miraculous catch of fish, this is the miracle that Peter, the fisherman, can completely understand. Peter knows his inadequacies. Yet Peter also knows that Jesus is Lord and so he is ready to obey any commands Jesus might give. Thus Peter brought his boat to the shore, left everything, and became Jesus' follower (Lk 5:11). Peter recognizes that Jesus is calling him, and so does not let his sinfulness hold him back from responding to the Lord's call. How Jesus must have loved Peter's generosity and obedience!
Jesus likewise has a mission for us. Like Peter, we might tell Jesus: "Depart from me, Lord, with this difficult calling. Your mission is too hard for me" (see Lk 5:8). Yet like Peter, let us also realize that if Jesus calls us, He also provides us with the gifts of the Spirit to carry out His call. With St. Peter, say to the Lord: "Master, at Your command, I will lower the nets. I will trust You" (see Lk 5:5).
Prayer: Lord, make me Your loving, obedient disciple as You made Peter Your disciple. I trust completely in You.
Promise: "All things are yours, whether it be Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or the present, or the future: all these are yours." —1 Cor 3:21-22
Praise: Molly attended a Life in the Spirit seminar. She received the Spirit deeply, and now is involved in a ministry on a healing prayer team.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(For a related teaching on Accepting Jesus as Lord, Savior and God, order, view or download our leaflet or order, listen to, or download our CD 43-1 or DVD 43 on our website.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 15, 2017
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