Jesus originally called the disciples to be “fishers of men” (Mt 4:19). Yet in today’s Gospel reading, they were going back to being fishers of fish. However, Jesus intervened and brought them back to the first time He called them.

Notice how precisely Jesus repeats the scene of His first call:

• The Sea of Galilee (Mt 4:18) is the same body of water as the Sea of Tiberias (Jn 21:1) and the Lake of Gennesaret (Lk 5:1).
• He issues a command to cast their nets (Lk 5:4; Jn 21:6).
• There is a huge catch of fish (Lk 5:6; Jn 21:6).
• St. Peter recognizes Jesus and approaches Him with abandon (Lk 5:8; Jn 21:7).
• Jesus calls Peter to fish for men instead of fish (Lk 5:10; Jn 21:15-17).
• The disciples obey Jesus’ call to follow Him (Lk 5:11; Jn 21:15ff).

Has Jesus called you to do something specific for Him yet you have delayed obeying His call? Go back to the memory of His original call, and start following Him again. If He has to, Jesus will call you again. But surely He would prefer you to respond to His original call. “The harvest is good but laborers are scarce” (Mt 9:37). Let’s stop fishing for fish, and go fish for men.

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