By The Ven Dr Victor-David Mbuyi Bipungu

                                                Luke 5:1-11

STEP OUT INTO DEEP WATER AND BE CONFIDENT!

Our lives comprise a number of challenging situations and concerns. For example, dealing with family life and work; our health issues, justice and security in our society; worldwide peace and the threat of war, managing our church and so on.

Have you ever considered giving up, after having tried something several times without success? Have you ever felt a kind of indescribable tiredness and the desire to break everything around you after struggling through trials of all kinds? If so, be reassured, you are normal. This Sunday's gospel excerpt reminds us that it is in such circumstances that faith, when properly understood, can give a new sense to our lives and inspire our actions.

After being rejected in Nazareth, his childhood town (Luke 4), Jesus did not let himself be discouraged. Instead, he decided to continue his mission outside the synagogue, that is, outside the official circles of Judaism. To carry out this mission, he needed collaborators, those who would later become his disciples or apostles. It's therefore in the context of the enrollment of Jesus' first disciples that Luke speaks to us of the miraculous fishing. So, today the gospel is talking about how Jesus himself and his first disciples responded to their call despite the difficulties along the way. This could, therefore, not only question our way of perceiving and responding to our own call, but also inspire our actions today.

In fact, at the Sea of Galilee Simon and his friends had been fishing all night without catching anything. Jesus invited him to put his boat back in the water and fish again. Amazing, isn't it? Jesus a carpenter claimed to know more about fishing than Simon, an experienced fisherman! But Simon agreed: “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” (5:5). He trusted and the miracle happened: a bountiful catch. Then surprised Simon knelt down, naming Jesus “Lord” and openly admitting that he was a sinful man. In spite of this, Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will fish for people" (Luke 5:10). This is how Simon and his friends began as Jesus’ disciples. 

Today’s first reading is about the story of Isaiah’s call or vocation (Isaiah 6: 1-8). This great prophet admitted that he was nothing and therefore did not deserve to be called. He expressed his unworthiness. But since it is God who took the initiative to call him, it is also God who will give the needed strength and ensure the conditions for the fulfillment of the task. There is a clear connection here between Peter's experience and that of Isaiah. They are both suddenly put in the presence of God and their reactions to God’s holiness are very similar: “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man,” said Peter; Isaiah said, “Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man with unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty” (Isaiah 6:5).

Apparently, their sin or their indignity did not stop God’s action. Peter for example heard Jesus’ word of comfort: “Do not be afraid” and both received a call for the service of God’s project which is the salvation of the world. Isaiah became a messenger, a prophet and Peter a fisherman of men, that is a “rescuer”. We need a clear explanation here: if catching fish or tearing them out of the sea brings them to death, tearing men out of the sea, on the other hand, is saving them because they are prevented from drowning. So, following Jesus means living your vocation, not simply listening to Jesus, but actively collaborating in his work of salvation for the world, while never giving up in times of trouble.

Here we are shown the extraordinary mystery of our collaboration in God’s work. We can not do anything without God, but God does not want to do anything without us either. The only collaboration we are asked for is in keeping confidence, willingness, and courage. Peter was confident enough to risk another attempt at fishing, even though what Jesus was asking him was not easy to achieve: “Put out into deep water”. It's one thing to be in a boat not far from the shore, but being on the open sea is another. On the shore, there is little risk and if a storm rises, we have time to get back to shore. But it's quite different when you're offshore, in the open sea, there are more risks, the waves and the wind are stronger and if a storm suddenly rises you do not have time to get back to the seacoast, you have to face it. Peter agreed to take those risks, and he was rewarded. He got a miracle and was finally ready to follow Jesus.

In our life of Christians, which may feel like a ship at sea, we happen to face the waves, such as opposition, annoyances or unexpected difficulties, declining worship attendance, shrinking parish financial resources, etc. What do we have to do? Fishermen sailors do not go out at sea when it is splendid weather without any wind. Because they have families to feed, they go to sea even if the weather is not as beautiful. And even if they leave during the good weather, a storm can always surprise them at any moment. (As the book of Ecclesiastes says, “Whoever watches the wind will not plant; and whoever looks at the clouds will not reap” (Ecc 11: 4).) Many difficulties can slow us down: the fear of circumstances and events excuses and objections like that of Peter, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have not caught anything”. We often run away saying, “I do not have time”, “I cannot”, “I have already tried and it does not work”, etc. Moses had mentioned the fact that he was a stutterer (Exodus 4:10). But God knows how to detect the potential in each of us despite our weaknesses.

Surely, Jesus saw the potential in Simon Peter, the fisherman, and encouraged him. He continues to see the potential where we ourselves do not see anything. Consequently, our weaknesses, our repeated failures and our unsuccessful attempts do not mean that Jesus has not chosen us or he has not called us and that we will never succeed. We must therefore trust him. So even though we might disagree that it is still possible and worthwhile to try again or cast the nets again, may we accept, at his request, to take the risk.

St Simeon church is at a crossroads. A change in clergy leadership is coming. To this must be added all the difficulties that the parishes of our diocese are experiencing. God is calling you to stand firm in His vineyard. Do not give up! Keep on responding joyfully to his call.

As Isaiah did after hearing the Lord's voice saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”, may we too answer, “Here I am, send me!”.