was breaking[1]. They beckoned[2] to their partners, James and John, who were in the other bark, to come and assist them. They came, and both barks were so filled with fish that they were in danger of sinking.
Wonder and terror came upon all that were in the ships. But Simon Peter fell down at the feet[3] of Jesus, saying: “Depart[4] from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” Jesus said to him: “Fear not, from henceforth thou shalt catch men.” [5] Having pushed their ships ashore, they left all things [6] and followed [7] Jesus.
COMMENTARY.
The Divinity of our Lord. Jesus, by the miraculous draught of fish which He procured for His disciples, showed that He was Lord over nature. The fish of the sea obeyed His will and gathered together in the place where the disciples cast in their nets.
The object of this miracle which Jesus worked solely for Peter and the other disciples was twofold: 1. Like all the other miracles it was meant to increase and confirm the faith of the disciples; 2. it was meant to prepare the disciples, and especially St. Peter, for the apostolic office, which was typified by this miracle. Through it Jesus meant to say to His disciples: “Even as just now you put out to sea and cast in your nets, at my bidding, and captured this extraordinary draught, so in the future shall you fish for the souls of men in the sea of this world; and you will have as great a success in that office as you have had just now with your nets, and will bring thousands of souls into the kingdom of God, i. e. the Church.” Thus the miraculous draught of fish typifies the apostolic work of the Church of Jesus Christ. The sea is the world; the fish are the men living in the world. The bark is the Church; the helmsman is Peter (and his successors). He steers the bark, and with the help of his companions (the Apostles, and after them the Bishops), casts his net by preaching the doctrine of Christ, and by holy Baptism receives into the Church those who will believe. Our Lord Jesus Christ is in the bark of Peter, i. e in the holy Catholic Church, teaching men,
- ↑ Breaking. There were such large holes in the nets that many of the fish escaped, and yet, in spite of this, both little ships were filled with fish.
- ↑ Beckoned, i. e. made signs to them to come and help, because they were too far from the shore for calling.
- ↑ At the feet of Jesus. Who was with him in the boat.
- ↑ Depart. Leave my boat, because I, a sinful man, am not worthy to be so near to Thee.
- ↑ Men. By these words He encouraged Simon, and explained to him the meaning of the miracle He had just wrought.
- ↑ Left all things. That were dear to them, their family, home, and occupation.
- ↑ Followed. As His constant disciples.
