FROM FISHERMAN TO FISHER OF MEN

 Meditation for Thursday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time
(Col 1:9-14; Lk 5:1-11)

The gospel of today narrates how St Peter was converted from an ordinary fisherman to a fisher of men for the kingdom of God. Peter and his companions had an unsuccessful day at the lake of Gennesaret. While washing their nets to close for the day, Jesus stepped into Peter’s boat and use it to preach to the people. Despite having had a frustrated day, Peter’s kindness to Jesus at this point was quite remarkable. At the end of His preaching, Jesus made a more difficult demand from Peter by telling him to go back to the lake to catch fish! Peter’s discomfort at this request was obvious as he replied, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” This response echoes Mary’s words to angel Gabriel, “Let it to me as you have said it” (Lk 1:38).

“When they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish.” Seeing the great catch of fish, Peter’s eyes were opened. His understanding of Jesus moved from ‘Master’ to ‘Lord.’ His vision of himself changed as he humbled himself and realized that he was a sinner. And he came to see the business of fishing that meant a lot to him as not the ultimate priority of his life. Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men.” At the end, they left both the fish and the boat and followed Him.

 

As human beings, if we can nurture and promote kindness, and as believers, be obedient and submissive to Jesus, then we shall experience constant inner transformation. Yes, our eyes will be opened too, and we shall see the goodness of the Lord, and have the right understanding of ourselves, and the right attitude to things around us. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, which transformed Peter from fisherman to fisher of men, is available for us to give us newness of life. According to the first reading, this is how we are strengthened for all endurance and patience with joy, qualifying us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. “God has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Thursday September 7, 2023.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com