Let Down Your Nets and Follow Me

"He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon responded and said, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they caught a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to tear; so they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, to the point that they were sinking. But when Simon Peter saw this, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” For amazement had seized him and all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken; and likewise also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear; from now on you will be catching people.” When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him." – Luke 5: 4-11

"So he said to them, "Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something." So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord." When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea… And when he had said this, he said to him, "Follow me." - John 21: 6-7, 19

Both of these stories begin the same way. Peter spends the entire night fishing without catching a thing. Returning to shore with nothing to show for his hard work, Jesus tells him to lower his nets for a catch. Peter does as he was instructed and catches so many fish that his nets were beginning to tear. In the first story, Jesus tells Peter that he was going to make him a fisher of men. In the second story, Jesus tells Peter to take up his rightful place as leader of the Church. In both stories, Jesus tells Peter to follow him.

Like most parents, I get a great deal of joy sitting in the bleachers watching my children play their youth sports. We get to cheer for them when they do well and comfort them when they don’t. Mine is a position of observation and support. But when it comes to Team Jesus, we are not called to be just observers. We are called to be active participants.

Through our baptisms we become disciples of Christ. Jesus has a mission for each and every one of us. He wants us to lower our nets and trust that he will do the impossible. He wants us to trust in him and to follow him without fear.

Spoiler alert – Jesus is eternal. The past, the present, and the future are all the same moment for him. If he asks you to do something for him, he already knows the outcome and what you will need to succeed. There is nothing we need to fear no matter how difficult the request appears to be. There is nothing we cannot accomplish if we act in union with his will.

Let down your nets. Let go and follow him.