Miraculous catch of fish

Today in the Gospel we have a beautiful scene full of lessons. We are at the lake of Gennesaret, surrounded by boats and nets. This is how we imagine Jesus, close to the water, on the shores of the lake, among fishermen. The scenery hasn’t changed much from Jesus time. He got into Peter’s boat, which represents the Church. The Pope is the captain leading us to a safe harbour. He is steering the boat and we are under his command. If we get out of the boat, or we try our own way, most likely we won’t reach heaven. We see Jesus in the Pope, the successor of Peter. The Church is a safe place, because Jesus is sailing with us, even though some times he looks like he is asleep. It has sailed for two thousand years and has weathered many storms.

Jesus told Peter to put the boat out a little from the land. Not too far, just a bit, to have some silence and solitude. We are in the world but we are not of the world. We cannot be too caught up with the things of this world. We can see the boat as our own life. Jesus entered in our life without asking permission; before we realised it, he was in. We are happy that he has chosen our boat. We cannot sail alone. If we do so, we are going to get lost. We have to make sure he feels comfortable, and he wants to stay. Let him handle the tiller to direct the rudder, so we have a smooth ride. When we try to control our lives we get into trouble. It is amazing how small the rudder is, compared to the boat, and how important it is.

Once Jesus stopped preaching, he gave Peter a strange command: “Put out into the deep.” Duc in altum. This is an expression John Paul II said many times. You can Goggle it. It was his password, his war cry, his motto. He wanted us to get out of ourselves, to plunge into the abyss, immerse ourselves in God’s life and not to be afraid of the open sea. It is a command Jesus had for all of us, and the Pope reminded us many times of our responsibilities. “And let down your nets for a catch.” Not just for an adventure, but to help God to bring people out from the polluted waters of this world, to the clear, pristine air of God’s grace.

Peter answered Jesus: “We have toiled all night and took nothing.” We all have many excuses: I’ve tried before, I’ve failed many times, it is crazy, you are out of your mind. The deep is challenging, unknown, dark, dangerous, risky. But, at your word I’ll let down the nets. I’ll trust you, I’ll obey you. What did Peter think? I don’t believe you, but to prove you wrong, I’ll let down the nets. We don’t need to be 100 % convinced. God can work with the little faith we have.

It appeared a great shoal of fish. It is the magnificence of God, his abundance and generosity. God always overdoes it. The nets were breaking, so they had to ask another boat to help them and both were filled to a sinking point. They must have caught all the fish from the lake. Can you imagine yourself in that boat, sitting on a bench, not being able to move surrounded by fish jumping up and down? Peter learned the lesson. Jesus hit him with his own weapon.

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