Today’s Gospel reading from Luke is an abrupt change in direction from last week’s reading where Jesus was rejected by his hometown people. We see the acceptance of Jesus by Peter, James and John. The three fishermen had worked all night and came up with nothing. Only when they listened to Jesus’ command to “put out into deep water” were they able to catch an overabundance of fish – so many that their boat was in danger of sinking. They were simply overwhelmed. Peter asked Jesus to depart from him because he was a sinner, not worthy to be with Jesus. Jesus tells Peter not to be afraid and that from now on he would be a fisher of men. All three were so amazed, they left “everything and followed him.” What a change from last week’s discouraging events! So what is God’s message for us today? Consider how God sometimes comes into our lives in a way that seems to make no sense. God deliberately asks us to do something we don’t understand. To act, we must trust Him in the face of evidence to the contrary. We might have to shake up our comfortable life. The people of Nazareth refused to make the leap and ran Jesus off with anger and violence. Peter and his fellow fisherman had this same initial doubt but took a chance placing trust in Jesus. It took courage to put themselves in “deep water.” They were abundantly rewarded, and their lives were changed. Are you willing to take a chance on Jesus? Just as Jesus told Simon Peter, “Do not be afraid.” He gives us that same assurance over and over in the Gospels. We may not have as dramatic an experience in our lives, but we are all called to trust in Jesus and change our lives. Are you willing to step out into the deep waters when Jesus calls? May we all find the courage and the faith of Peter and become modern day fishers of men. We too will be awarded abundantly . As Mother Teresa so appropriately put it, “God will not be outdone in generosity.” Reflection by St. Catherine’s parishioner, Dale Gerber