Taking the Bait!

Thursday, September 5, 2024

1 Cor 3:18-23; Lk 5: 1-11

Today’s Gospel describes Jesus calling his first disciples.

The spotlight is on Simon Peter, while (Andrew) James and John are shown to be his partners. 

It is interesting to note that Jesus gets into the boat belonging to Simon and commands him twice: once to put out the boat a short distance from the shore so he can use it as a podium and again to put the boat out into deep water for a catch. Simon obeys Jesus both times. 

The second time Simon obeys Jesus only because of his word. He says, ‘At your command, I will lower the nets.’ 

Hence, Simon’s positive response to the call of Jesus follows a precedent. By saying yes to Jesus’ call, Simon becomes a helper in his Kingdom activity along with his companions. Their response is total and complete because they abandon all for Jesus. 

Simon is aware that the miraculous catch of fish is not his own doing but the Lord’s. This is why when his boat gets filled, instead of being happy, he confesses his unworthiness. 

Simon’s call narrative leaves behind an insightful thought. 

For the first time, those who take the bait (Simon, James, and John) are not killed but enter a new life. 

Simon’s example teaches us that the bait of God’s word is a guarantor of new life. 

Now, Simon and others will be catching people with the bait of God’s word, thereby bringing them to new life. 

Our commitment to Jesus’ message and destiny depends on taking the bait of God’s word and responding to it generously like the first disciples. 

Let us pray that God’s word may transform our lives, just as it did the first disciples.

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar