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Gospel Reading for September 4, 2025 – Luke 5: 1-11
VERY BLESSED
While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.” When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that the boats were in danger of sinking. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.
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Although they caught nothing all night, when Jesus told him to lower the nets, Simon Peter just obeyed, and he got VERY BLESSED. They caught so much fish, so much more than they could take. And yet, when Jesus called them to follow him, they left everything and followed Jesus, they were again VERY BLESSED because they had such a great opportunity to be with the Son of God every day of his ministry. Simon Peter himself was VERY BLESSED that he, an ordinary fisherman was given the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven, the only one chosen among all human beings. Likewise, the other apostles were with him when Christ’s Church was built.
When we follow Jesus, we are sure to be VERY BLESSED. Maybe, like Peter we will feel we are unworthy because of our sinfulness, or we are not qualified to be chosen by him, but God does not choose us because we are qualified but when he chooses us, he equips us so we may be qualified. Living a life following Jesus is truly worth living!
Jesus, Son of God, may we follow you closely all the days of our lives!
