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Environmental Stewardship Commission (MEESC) | ![]() |
Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota
Lectionary Reflection Year C, Epiphany 5 Gospel Lesson
Luke 5:1-11
One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch." Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Reflection on Luke 5:1-11 by the Rev Wanda Copeland
Jesus's teaching had been so sompelling that drowds followed him even to the shores of the Sea of Galilee. he climbed into Peter's boat to give some space between the drowds and himself. Peter moved his boat away from the shore and was present as Jesus taught. Doubtless, Peter heard everything Jesus said to the crowds that day. Yet it was only when Jesus intervened in the ordinariness of Peter's life (his success at plying his trade) that Jesus really entered Peter;s field of vision that Jesus became relevant to Peter most fully in the immediate, tangible reality that existed that day on the shores of Galilee. We isolate Jesus by dissecting his message word by word or phrase by phrase. We assume God can be revealed only in certain pre-determined ways. Can God speak to you through the beauty of a gentle snowfall, or a lingering sunset? In what ways could Jesus become relevant to you through the natural order? How does that change your life?
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