Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time – 09th February 2025
Peter is often held up to us as a model of faith, strength and leadership, but this was not always the case. He began his life before he met Jesus as a humble married fisherman.
In the gospel this Sunday, we meet Peter and his friends after they have come back to shore after a night of fishing. They have caught nothing; their boats and nets are empty and have nothing to show for their hard nights work. The fishermen are more than likely cold, tired and disappointed.
Then Jesus, who probably doesn’t know anything about the fishing business, casually asks them to go back out after they have just come back in. Peter, perhaps after some anger and confusion agrees to do what Jesus asks. What a change of fortune; their luck changes and they bring in the biggest catch of their lives.
Peters’ tiredness and confusion turns to guilt. He is very hard on himself. Humbly he falls to his knees in front of Jesus and cries out, ‘Leave me Lord, for I am a sinful man.’ Peter wrongly assumes that Jesus will give out to him and walk away. But Jesus has other ideas and plans for him. Jesus reassures Peter with the famous line from scripture, ‘Do not be afraid.’ Then Jesus calls and invites Peter and the others to be his disciples; they leave their nets and boats and follow him.