Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C

Recently I saw a reel on social media in which a woman at a golf driving range is given unsolicited advice about her swing by a man at the adjacent tee. What the man doesn't realise is that the woman he has decided needs his help is a professional golfer. Respectfully, she tells him that she doesn't need his help, then drives the ball all the way to the end of the range with perfect form - no doubt also fueled by frustration.

In this Sunday's Gospel, we hear the story of Jesus calling Simon (Peter) to discipleship. Simon is a fisherman. Not one who is out with his mates on the weekend seeing what they can get. He is a professional fisherman. He has his own boat and crew. He lives in a fishing town. He knows what he's doing, and he has just had one of those long, frustrating nights on the water where not much goes right.

Then along comes Jesus. This tradie turned rabbi hops into his boat and starts giving fishing advice. And with a crowd listening on the shore.

Peter is understandably frustrated but something about this carpenter from the country convinces him to give it a try, and the result is an abundant catch. More than that, a catch so large that it threatens to destroy the nets and sink their boat.

How does Peter respond? He is afraid. He recognises Jesus as the Lord and says outright, I am not good enough for you.

But Jesus speaks to him in a refrain that rings throughout the Scriptures - Be Not Afraid. And together with James and John, Simon left his boat and followed Him.

Like the golfer at the start of this reflection (for whom I have a great deal of empathy) Peter could well have said, no thanks, we're fine without your help. But something remarkable happens here. Through obedience, Peter encounters abundance.

And this is the beginning of his journey of discipleship. Of listening that leads to learning, and to an abundant life.

Five years ago, in a period where I felt like my nets were empty, I took myself to the chapel in the middle of my workplace and, in front of the tabernacle, asked straight out - where do you want me, Lord? What do you want me to do next?

Within a week the answer came as an unexpected offer of a new role. Unexpected, challenging and daunting, but undoubtedly a direct answer to my direct question. And the years that followed were a period of abundance. Of fruits that continue even now that I have moved on.

In the words of the Psalm for this Sunday

I thank you Lord, for your faithfulness and love, which excel all we ever knew of you. On the day I called, you answered; you increased the strength of my soul. (Ps.137)

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