There is a clear theme of call in today's readings. The first reading offers us the extraordinary revelation of God's glory that the prophet Isaiah received in the Temple of Jerusalem in the eighth century B.C.
The second reading speaks to us of the appearances of the risen Jesus to his disciples after the Resurrection, principally to the apostle Peter (Cephas). Finally, the Gospel gives us the first miraculous catch of fish, which for Peter was like a revelation of the power of Christ.
However, in spite of the extraordinary character of these episodes, they were also very ordinary. Isaiah was exercising his priestly activity. Peter and his companions were performing the most mundane of tasks: mending their nets.
Jesus enters his boat. He does not ask their permission. Once in it, he complicates Peter's life, asking him to "to move it away from the ground a little". It was only a small request, which interrupted the apostle's work. But it had a decisive effect: it forced Peter to listen. Jesus forces Peter to leave his work to listen to his preaching. Christ meets us and calls us in the midst of our work. But we too need to stop working to listen, to hear and reflect on the word of God.
After having listened to Jesus, the latter can issue Peter a challenge: "Put out into the deep, and let down your nets for a catch.". Christ always challenges us to get out of the shallow waters of our comfort and mediocrity.
Peter had had a fruitless night. But he had faith. His own failure did not discourage him. "Master, we have been struggling all night and have gathered nothing; but at your word, I will let down the nets.". Anyone trying to win souls for Christ will know this feeling. But a soul of faith does not give up. True to Jesus' command, it casts its nets again and again. Finally, such a great catch is caught that it brings with it the good problem of being temporarily unable to cope with so much abundance.
Before this miracle, Peter is overwhelmed. The power of God in Christ leaves him feeling totally sinful, as Isaiah had felt sinful at the sight of the divine glory. "Lord, depart from me, for I am a sinful man.", he says. To which Jesus replies: "Fear not; from now on you will be a fisher of men.". In other words, precisely because you recognize your unworthiness, I call you to the apostolate. The humble acceptance of our misery does not disqualify us from serving Christ. Rather, from this awareness, Our Lord calls us.
