Luke 5:1-11

5 Once while Jesus^[a] was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, ² he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. ³ He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. ⁴ When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” ⁵ Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” ⁶ When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. ⁷ So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. ⁸ But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinner!” ⁹ For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; ¹⁰ and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” ¹¹ When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.

The Meaning of Vocation in the Words of John Paul II

“ The Joy of being Generous”   p. 24

You understand that I am speaking to you of very important matters.  It is a question of dedicating one’s life to the service of God and of the Church, of doing so with unshakeable faith, with mature judgment and a free decision, generously regardless of the price.

 

Open your heart to a joyful meeting with Christ.  Ask for advice.  The Church of Jesus must continue its mission in the world.  In speaking to you about vocation and in urging you to follow along this pat, I am the humble servant of that love that moved Christ when he called the disciples to follow him.

 

Be certain that, if you listen his call and follow him, you will find great joy and happiness.  Be generous, take courage, and remember his promise:  “My yoke is easy and my burden light” (Matthew 11:30).

 

Young people:  Christ needs you and calls you to help millions of your brothers and sisters achieve their salvation.  Open your heart to Christ, to his law of love.  Place no conditions on God’s accessibility to you, have no fear to respond definitively, because love and friendship never fade.