The Best Catch (5)
Lectionary, Year C, Epiphany 5
Christopher B. Harbin
Luke 5:1-11
What do I want out of life? What goals have I established? What am I working toward? How will I know I achieved success? What does success mean for me? How would I recognize it if I ever saw it? Is what I define as success worth more than what I find in Jesus? Given the choice, which would I choose as my priority?
Something about today's passage has always bothered me. For a long time, I could not put a finger on it, but when Peter answers Jesus, saying, ''Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man,'' I feel like I missed something. It doesn't add up. What does sin have to do with pulling in a net filled to overflowing with fish? How is sin implicated in accepting God's bountiful provision? Was Peter like Gideon, recognizing he was somehow in God's presence and suddenly felt inadequate? Was this a case of being shocked by extraordinary events? Somehow, those questions don't get to the heart of what is going on here, especially as we look to what happens next.
If this is about sin, as Peter's words would indicate, nothing more about sin or forgiveness is said. If this is about feeling unworthy, that is ignored by all. If this is Peter recognizing God's presence, he does not refer to Jesus as God or prophet or Messiah, neither does he speak about making some sacrifice. If this is about Peter wanting Jesus to go away and leave him alone, why does Peter suddenly decide to follow Jesus along with his fellows?
This account is from the beginning of Jesus' ministry. It is perhaps about Peter's first encounter with Jesus. Luke's account is a little different from Mark and Matthew's descriptions of Jesus calling the first disciples, but while we don't see that call issued by Jesus, it is to such an event in their lives that Luke is referring. Somewhere in this encounter between Jesus and Peter, Peter determines that his life needs to undergo a radical change and he assumes ...
Lectionary, Year C, Epiphany 5
Christopher B. Harbin
Luke 5:1-11
What do I want out of life? What goals have I established? What am I working toward? How will I know I achieved success? What does success mean for me? How would I recognize it if I ever saw it? Is what I define as success worth more than what I find in Jesus? Given the choice, which would I choose as my priority?
Something about today's passage has always bothered me. For a long time, I could not put a finger on it, but when Peter answers Jesus, saying, ''Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man,'' I feel like I missed something. It doesn't add up. What does sin have to do with pulling in a net filled to overflowing with fish? How is sin implicated in accepting God's bountiful provision? Was Peter like Gideon, recognizing he was somehow in God's presence and suddenly felt inadequate? Was this a case of being shocked by extraordinary events? Somehow, those questions don't get to the heart of what is going on here, especially as we look to what happens next.
If this is about sin, as Peter's words would indicate, nothing more about sin or forgiveness is said. If this is about feeling unworthy, that is ignored by all. If this is Peter recognizing God's presence, he does not refer to Jesus as God or prophet or Messiah, neither does he speak about making some sacrifice. If this is about Peter wanting Jesus to go away and leave him alone, why does Peter suddenly decide to follow Jesus along with his fellows?
This account is from the beginning of Jesus' ministry. It is perhaps about Peter's first encounter with Jesus. Luke's account is a little different from Mark and Matthew's descriptions of Jesus calling the first disciples, but while we don't see that call issued by Jesus, it is to such an event in their lives that Luke is referring. Somewhere in this encounter between Jesus and Peter, Peter determines that his life needs to undergo a radical change and he assumes ...
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