Luke 5:1-11
NRSV Translation
(1-3) Once while Jesus was standing beside the Lake of Gennesaret and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
(4-5) When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”
Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.”
(6-7) When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to burst. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink.
(8-11) But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’s knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” For he and all who were with him were astounded at the catch of fish that they had taken, and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.
REFLECTIONS:
Thoughts from Monica:
This week we transition with Jesus from the rough streets of Nazareth to the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus, now gaining a following for His healing and teaching, borrows Simon Peter’s boat to teach a pressing crowd, with the water acting as both buffer and microphone. This week, unlike the previous two, the sermon isn’t the main point. Instead, there’s a pivotal, relational moment between Jesus and Simon.
It starts off when the Carpenter tells the fishermen where to cast their net, and they hesitate only briefly. The catch ends up being so massive it nearly sinks two boats. Amidst this chaotic miracle, Simon comes face to face with Jesus' power and love. In this moment, and under His gaze, he feels his own frailty. A reality check, much like the ones we experience personally, is followed by Jesus' confidence, comfort and a call to action.
James Allison notes that Jesus’ invitation here to “fish for people” is about Simon doing “more of what you do best.” This is still at the heart of the Incarnation in today’s world for you and me: when the Word became flesh, we were also given a vision for our own vocation.
May we, too, be willing to leave behind what we try to do in our own power and join with others in the Beloved Community. Draw us all closer in this, Holy Spirit, to your dream for the world.
PRACTICE:
Outward Mindset Application
Write down a few things you’ve heard others say this week, that have given you confidence, comfort, or a greater sense of calling.
Non-Violent Communication Question of the Week
Picture a person you are struggling with. What are three aspects about them that remind you they are a fellow image-bearer, of your shared humanity?
Pathways toward Centeredness
Caregiving: Offering compassion and service to others.
Ask God to help you see someone proximal to you who needs a boost or some encouragement. Take a moment out of your week to use your gifts, passions or maybe even a hobby, to lift them to the Light. Maybe it’s writing them a note, baking them cookies, sending them a link to a song, or something else in your wheelhouse.
Questions for Reflection
If you re-read Simon Peter’s origin story, what stands out most to you about Peter? Jesus?
What’s a community or place where you can be or do “more of what you do best?”
“Liturgy” refers to the habits and practices humans use to form community around shared values and meaning. At Church at the Park, we desire to be a community of practice, becoming people who see the world through the eyes of the marginalized, making meaning through the lens of pain and suffering, and committing ourselves to non-violence in a wounded world. This weekly email is intended to provide pathways of practice for becoming the type of people who embody these values.
Many of our reflections on each week's text come from other sources. If you're interested in reading more of what inspires us, here our our two favorite reflections.
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