First Reading: Col 1:9-14; Psalm: 98. R. v. 2a; Gospel: Lk 5:1-11

IN GOD IS OUR SUCCESS

BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP

When Jesus got into the boat of Simon Peter, he surely had a purpose for doing that, for there were two boats by the lake. Peter had toiled all night (the right time for fishing) and caught nothing and was now washing his nets to go home when Jesus chose his boat as a platform to speak to the crowd by the lakeside. After preaching to the people from Peter’s boat, Jesus asked Peter to let down his nets into the deep waters. Jesus was not ignorant of the fact that morning was the wrong time for fishing. He had a reason for telling Peter to try again during that time of the day. Peter obeyed and the catch he made amazed him.

This miraculous and astonishing experience of a great catch of fish was quite symbolic. Jesus was about to call Peter to a great mission which was the reason why he entered his boat. So by this miracle, Jesus was revealing to Peter that if he hoped on his own strength and skills, he will never be successful in the new mission he was about to entrust to him. Peter therefore would be successful in his new mission only if he obeyed the directives of Jesus in carrying out this new assignment. Just as Peter caught an amazing number of fish by obeying the command of Jesus; so shall he gather a great number of believers if he remained faithful to the word of God.

Many preachers today do the work of God without cooperating with the God of the work. And as a result of this neglect many of them have failed because they do not follow divine directives but do things their own way. Only the God of the work understands how well the work should be done. We cannot talk to people about God if we do not pray and listen to God. We cannot fruitfully preach the gospel if it doesn’t reflect in our lives. We cannot give what we do not have. Holiness affects, and so is repentance. Peter’s experience teaches us that we cannot succeed in life without God. If we allowed God to take the lead in our lives, the result will be amazing.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Lord Jesus, give us the insight to see that without you we can do nothing. Amen.