In this week’s gospel, we witness the all-too-familiar story of Jesus by the Sea of Galilee calling Simon Peter and other fisherfolk to join him in his mission.

Unlike similar call stories in Mark (1:16-20) and Mathew (4:18-22), the journey to discipleship in Luke is not a single moment of decisive conversion but rather a gradual process, marked by repeated encounters, personal challenges, and an evolving understanding of Jesus’ identity.

By the time we encounter Simon Peter in this passage, he has already had several meetings with Jesus. Earlier, Jesus performed miracles in Peter’s hometown of Capernaum (Lk 4:31-37), healing many who came to Peter’s house (4:40-41), including Peter’s mother-in-law (Lk 4:38-39).

Peter and his colleagues may have been curious about this miracle worker from Nazareth. However, curiosity alone was not enough to prompt them to abandon their lives and livelihoods. In this later encounter by the lake, Peter and his companions still engaged in their work, weary from an unfruitful night of fishing, are still rooted in the security of their familiar lives.

Jesus enters Peter’s boat and asks him to “put out into the deep” (Lk 5:4) which, in Luke is probably meant to be read as both a physical and a spiritual quest. The depth of the lake symbolises a deeper dive into trust and faith, a willingness to venture beyond comfort.

The miraculous catch that follows is not only a sign of Jesus’ power but also a revelation for Peter, who, “seized with astonishment” (Lk 5:9), falls to his knees and acknowledges his own unworthiness. This response signifies a transformative moment, one in which Peter’s initial curiosity is challenged by the overwhelming presence of the sacred in Jesus.

This passage reminds us that discipleship often requires repeated encounters with the sacred presence in our lives. Each encounter deepens the call, drawing us from curiosity to faith and, eventually, to a committed life of discipleship. It is easy to think that a single moment of conviction or inspiration will suffice to sustain a life of faith.

However, Peter’s journey suggests that a faithful response to Jesus is nurtured over time, with each encounter inviting us to trust more deeply and let go of our reservations. The call to “leave everything and follow” (Lk 5:11) becomes possible only when Peter has experienced both Jesus’ authority and his compassion in a personal and transformative way.

In our own lives, we may find that discipleship also unfolds through a series of invitations to trust, each one a step deeper into relationship with Jesus. We might be drawn to the message of Jesus through curiosity, but it is through ongoing encounters—moments of insight, challenge, or comfort—that we grow into a life of committed discipleship.

Like Peter and his fellow fisherfolk, we come to realise that following Jesus is not merely a call to faith but a call to transformation. We are invited to leave behind the life we know, trusting in the new purpose Jesus reveals, one encounter at a time.

Ian J Elmer

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