A Journey of Trust!

Thursday, September 4, 2025

Col 1:9-14; Lk 5:1-11

Today’s Gospel highlights the profound meaning of Jesus’ words, ‘Put out into deep.’

At first, it appears as if Jesus came up with a fishing technique to help the dejected Peter. However, there is something more to see than what the eye meets. 

When Jesus utters these words to Peter, he already finds in him a fisher of men. Hence, the words ‘put out into deep’ are not an invitation for Peter to fish but to invite him to a new journey, which should be made in trust. Peter could have resisted Jesus’ suggestion because he was not a fisherman. However, Peter also senses that there is more to Jesus’ invitation than mere fishing. This is what compels Peter to respond, ‘At your command, I will lower the nets.’

The text shows that Jesus was not a fisherman but a fisher of men who looked to choose twelve apostles for his mission. It would not amount to any exaggeration if we said that Peter was Jesus’ best catch. 

Peter’s call narrative gives us an insight into thinking about how he became Jesus’ beloved disciple. When Jesus extends an invitation to ‘put out into deep,’ Peter responds to it generously, even before being named an apostle. Jesus must have seen in Peter a potential apostle, and Peter confirms that by saying, ‘I will lower the nets at your command.’ When Jesus’ intention is complemented by Peter’s willingness, the call of Peter becomes real. 

We must not forget that Peter might not have felt certain about Jesus’ call. The Lord’s suggestion would not have made sense to him. Jesus’ invitation to Peter to do what he had already tried and failed must have sounded unreasonable. And yet, Peter reveals his trust in Jesus’ words. Peter’s apostolic journey begins with his trust in the Lord. This is why we believe that the worthiness of Peter to do God’s will was made manifest in his response before he embraced a life of discipleship formally.

Following Jesus is a journey of trust, and it is our trust in the Lord that makes it amazing and remarkable. Peter’s call and his amazing transformation are a testament to the fact.

The experience of the ‘deep’ helps Peter recognize Jesus’ Lordship, and there begins his vocation as Jesus’ beloved apostle. 

Let us pray that we may walk the discipleship journey in deep faith and trust in Jesus. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar