At your command I will lower the nets

Is 6,1-2a.3-8; Ps 137; 1 Cor 15,1-11; Lk 5,1-11
10 FEBRUARY

The Gospel is not an event experienced yesterday and today only narrated and reminded. Instead, it is a fact, history, that must be lived today, even if in different ways and forms. The miraculous fishing narrated by the Gospel according to Luke, is inserted by the Gospel according to John in another context, in other very different circumstances, but with the same meaning, the same fruits, the same command of the Lord, as meaning that every moment lived by Jesus with his disciples might be lived by the disciples throughout the whole of history. The ways vary, the substance remains.
After this, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We also will come with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish (Jn 21,1.8).
What is the truth behind the historical event? The sea is always empty. The net is pulled without fish. The boats are off. Fishermen know their art. These are constant elements of the event. What is missing, both in the story according to Luke and in that according to John? The Word of Christ Jesus is missing. For the net to be filled with big fish, it is necessary to have faith in the Word of Jesus and obedience to his command. Another essential and fundamental variant: in the story according to Luke the main actor is Peter. The Word is addressed to him. He obeys. In the story according to John, the actors are all the disciples present. The Word is addressed to them. They obey. They throw the net. Then each disciple lives with Jesus a particular relationship. That of John is different than that of Peter and of the others.
While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.” When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. They signalled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that they were in danger of sinking. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.
This is also an essential truth: Peter is used to returning to the shore with empty nets. This does not discourage him. They struggled all night, but they did not catch anything. The night that follows will certainly be better. A true fisherman does not lose heart. Jesus wants to reassure Peter. In the sea of the kingdom of God this will never happen, if he throw the net of the Word of the Lord. When this net is thrown, it always takes fish for the kingdom. On the day of Pentecost Peter throws the net of the Word and takes at once about three thousand people. It will always be like this. When one does not take fish in the net, it is a sign that not the net of the Word of the Lord, but that of the thought of man has been cast. The fisherman of the kingdom must never make this exchange.
Mother of God, Angels and Saints ensure that we always lower the net of the Word of Jesus.