In the seminary, I often hear the word “plunge” from my higher-year brothers. Whenever there are activities that I doubt I could do, this word reminds me to take a risk and try. One activity I really wanted to avoid doing is singing, but it was one of the first things I did when I entered the seminary. I was frightened to sing the Psalms, but I needed to take the plunge. The result was not that good. It is never easy to accept my failure, but I trusted the process as I trusted God. In the end, a good result is just a bonus because the real reward in taking risks are the lessons I gain from the experience. Moreover, it also taught me obedience, humility, and courage. It helped me to know my roots and to know whose I am—I am for God.

It is never easy for me to take risks on things outside my comfort zone, but I needed to have faith. This is what Peter did in the Gospel when he obeyed the Lord by lowering the nets despite knowing he had done everything possible to catch fish. As a reward for trusting God, a great number of fish were caught. This miracle allowed Peter to leave his life to become a follower of Christ. He never went wrong with his faith in Jesus.

Like Peter, there are times when we are asked to do something even if we do not understand things very well. When we put ourselves into the deep sea of problems and challenges, it is an opportunity to be more dependent on the grace of God. We allow ourselves to let Christ take the driver’s seat in our lives. God’s calling can only be heard if we truly open our hearts to Him. Now, my call is to trust in the Lord wholeheartedly and become a fisher of men. Like Peter, I know I am not wrong in choosing the path I am on. I chose to put my faith in Jesus. I chose to follow God.

By: Sem. Bryan S. Valenzuela

Today’s Gospel

Luke 5:1-11

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 signaled to their partners in the other boat
to come to help them.
They came and filled both boats
so that the boats 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.