Call of the fisherman.

(Matt. 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11).

Three Evangelists narrate the calling of the first Apostles: Matthew, Mark and Luke. Furthermore, the first two mention the event very briefly, just stating the fact itself, while Saint Luke gives a detailed description of the miraculous netting of the fish, preceding the calling. As Saint John writes that the initial followers, designated by the Lord in Jordan, were Andrew and John, who were later joined by Simon, Philip and Nathanael. However, having returned to Galilee with Jesus, they turned to their former activity of catching fish. But the Lord calls them anew to follow Him, charging them to leave their fishing and dedicate themselves to another activity — catching people for the Kingdom of God.

Reports of the Messiah’s arrival quickly spread throughout Galilee, and crowds of people started to converge to listen to Him — usually pressing around Him. Once, when He was on the banks of lake Gennesaret, also regarded as a sea (apparently, because of its strong storms), there was such a huge gathering that in order to be able to reach all of them with His teachings, He was forced to enter a boat and distance Himself from the shore. Having finished instructing the people, the Lord directed Simon (owner of the boat) to row further out from the shore, where the water was deeper, and cast his net.

Simon, being an experienced fisherman and having fished all night without success, was convinced that this new endeavour would prove fruitless. However, this time the catch was so great that the net burst in a number of places. Peter and Andrew were forced to call upon their friends for help in landing all the fish. The catch was so abundant that both fully loaded boats started to sink. Overwhelmed with reverent fear, Peter fell before Christ’s feet, saying: “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” With these words, Peter wanted to express the extent of his unworthiness in the presence of such a great and mighty Miracle-worker. The Lord calms Peter with a kind word and predicts his future high calling. According to the witness of Evangelists Matthew and Mark, the Lord tells both brothers — Peter and Andrew: “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And thereupon, He calls the other two brothers — James and John Zebedee — to follow Him. Leaving their nets — and the latter two, their father — they followed Christ.