5th Sunday - C

Commentary

Luke 5: 1-11

“They Left Everything and Followed Him”

What did Simon and his companions leave behind? 

The list that often comes to mind includes their boats, nets, fishing gears  a career….  While it’s not included by Luke, one can also think of their families, the father Zebedee in the case of James and John….

How about their expertise and hardworking attitude in their trade?  Remember that Simon said to Jesus, “We have worked hard all night….”

They left those things and people. 

Not because they are bad.

In fact, they are good.  After all, Jesus made use of their skills and their boat in his preaching ministry [1] when he got “into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon. [He] asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.”

How about the bad stuff? 

At Jesus’ encouragement, “Do not be afraid,” they also left their weaknesses, sins, and doubts behind. Simon admitted that he is “a sinful man.”

What holds me back in following Jesus? Positive things? Negative things? My doubts? My sins? 

Jesus knows who he calls. 

And it’s not about whether I have the right stuff or not. It’s not about whether I am good enough or not. 

It is about the One who calls. He urges me, “Do not be afraid.” And he calls me to follow him.

Earlier in Luke’s Gospel, Mary was told and accepted the angel’s words, “Nothing will impossible for God” (Luke 1: 37) [2].

How about me?

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[1] Francis J. Moloney, The Gospel of the Lord, Reflections on the Gospel Readings Year C. Collegeville, MN. Liturgical Press, 1991; p. 124.

[2] Luke Timothy Johnson, The Gospel of Luke, Sacra Pagina Series. Collegeville, MN. Liturgical Press, 1991; p. 90.