Thoughts for the Day

Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing him to hear the word of the God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, 'Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.' Simon answered, 'Master we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.'

When they had done this they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break.... But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, 'Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!'

Then Jesus said to Simon 'Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.' When they had brought their boats ashore they left everything and followed him.

(New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Do you remember the game of 'Simon says'? A leader says "Simon says shake your arm!" and everyone in the game shakes an arm. Then another action is suggested and everyone copies, but if the leader forgets to add "Simon says" everyone ignores the action. It's a simple game and even when you know the rules, it's very easy to get caught out, particularly if the actions come very fast one after the other.

At this point in St Luke's Gospel we see Jesus calling his disciples, starting with Simon Peter and the other three fishermen. I am always reminded of the game of 'Simon Says' here because each call to follow Jesus is personal. I have missed out the mention of the other three fishermen in the passage above to keep it short, but Jesus also calls Andrew, James and John to follow him and to 'catch' people.

Today, remind yourself that you have already been called to follow Jesus. It wasn't a once only call though. The call is repeated again and again, and it is always a call to act. We just need to stop for a moment and listen out for it. What is God calling you to do today?

Tuesday 12th May, follow up thoughts

Lord Jesus,
help us to remember that You frequently calls us -
to carry out a specific task;
to learn more about You;
or to spend more time in prayer with You,
and that we need to listen to that still, small voice,
and recognise that You are calling us to follow You.
Amen.