As we get further into the Gospel of Luke, away from the nativity and scenes of John the Baptist, I expected it to be harder to find themes for Advent. Reading Chapter 5 of Luke, I was surprised to find all of the themes from the last four days present.
Peter’s Obedience, Humility, and Conversion
“And when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.’ And Simon answered, ‘Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.’
Obedience
Similar to Mary at the annunciation asking “How can this be?”, Simon Peter has some initial wonder at Jesus’ request. Imagine a professional fisherman being told by a carpenter to put his net down. This deserves some initial skepticism. Yet, Peter is obedient saying, “at your word I will let down my nets.”
If only we could have such immediate humility. When we read Jesus’ words to give to the poor, to love God with our whole heart, or to go and make disciples, do we say “at your word”?
Humility and Conversion
Not only does Peter display humility in letting his nets down, but also by requesting help from the other fishing boat and finally by falling at Jesus’ feet.
“they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.’
Luke 5:7-8
As we mentioned the past few days, advent is a time for conversion and for others. We can learn from Peter’s beginning of his conversion here. He would still have a long way before becoming the Pope, but he submits to Jesus as he confesses his sins for the first time. Finally, he leaves everything and follows Jesus.
I was even reminded of Elizabeth, who called Mary “the Mother of my Lord” back in chapter 1. Peter, like Elizabeth and John the Baptist recognized Jesus as Lord without it having to be fully explained to them. This is the faith we hope for this season.
Luke Chapter 5 Continued
The rest of chapter five is filled with themes of self-gift, forgiveness, communion, and listening to understand. This is what Advent is all about.
In the following sections, Jesus cleanses a leper, heals a paralytic, dines with tax collectors, and answers the Pharisees with more questions to get them to think just like we saw him doing in the temple years ago.
“Lord, if you will, you can make me clean” – Luke 5:12
“when he saw their faith he said, ‘Man, your sins are forgiven you.'” – Luke 5:20
“I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” – Luke 5:32
It’s pretty easy to see the theme that ties together these stories Luke decided to include in this chapter. These are the reason for Christ’s coming at Christmas, at the mass, and in the end.
I hope you are having a good Advent, waiting and hoping and turning more toward Jesus.
Thanks for joining and reading this Advent, if you want to see more posts, you can check them out here.
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