5C Sunday homily - Jesus helps Peter catch fish (09 February 2025)

 

5C SUNDAY HOMILY, LUKE 5:1-11 FEBRUARY 09, 2025

1. STORY

While John was on a journey, he met a wise man and asked him which road would lead him to success.  The wise man pointed to go forward.  John did this and shortly returned injured.  Again, he asked the wise man which road would lead him to success.  Again, the wise man pointed forward.  Again, John went forward only to return bruised.  He pleaded with the wise man to speak and not just point.  Finally, the wise man said to John that he was on the right road to success but to expect failure and suffering along the way.

 

2. GOSPEL, LUKE 5:1-11

A. WE HAVE CAUGHT NOTHING

Peter, a very experienced fisherman, “worked all night but caught nothing.”  In his attempt to catch fish, Peter failed.

B. PUT OUT INTO THE DEEP WATER AND LOWER YOUR NET FOR A CATCH

Following Christ’s command, “they caught a great number of fish.”  “Their nets were tearing” and the boats were so filled with fish that “they were in danger of sinking.”  With the help of Jesus, Peter succeeded.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. WHY WE FAIL IN LIFE

There are many reasons why we fail in life.  Judas failed as an apostle for at least two reasons. 

i) Judas failed because he was greedy.  He betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.

ii) Judas was proud.  He failed to ask Jesus for forgiveness.  Jesus surely would have forgiven him.  So, we must resist being greedy and being proud.  We should be generous and humble.

B. WHY WE SUCCEED IN LIFE

There are many reasons why we succeed in life.  With the help of Jesus, Peter succeeded in catching fish for at least two reasons. 

i) Peter was obedient as he followed Jesus’ command to try again.  “Put out into the deep water.”

ii) Peter was persevering.  He was willing to try again to catch fish despite having failed although he had already worked hard all night.  Jesus was the cause of Peter’s success because he was willing to obey Jesus and keep on trying.  We also should follow the example of Peter by being obedient to Jesus and keep on trying.

 

4. CONCLUSION

A) John was searching for success.  He learned that while walking on the rood to success to expect failure and suffering along the way.  Peter was looking for success.  At first Peter failed to catch fish.  However, at the command of Jesus, he tried again and caught more fish that he ever dreamt of catching.  Jesus made it possible for Peter to succeed. 

B) We are looking for success in life.  We need the help of Jesus to succeed.  We ask Jesus to help us avoid the pitfalls of greed and pride.  We ask Jesus to help us to be generous and humble.  We ask Jesus to help us to obey him and to be persevering.  With the help of Jesus, we too will succeed in life.