This is the Church of the Primacy of Saint Peter in Tabgha, Israel, right on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Inside is a large stone slab and the site where tradition holds Jesus had a post-resurrection breakfast with the apostles and reinstated Peter as head of the apostles (check out John 21).
The entirety of Luke 5:5 is:
And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”—Luke 5:5
The snippet of Luke 5:5 in the photo is also inscribed on the side of the church along with this message:
“The deeds and miracles of Jesus are not actions of the past. Jesus is waiting for those who are still prepared to take risks at His word because they trust His power utterly.”
Simon Peter was raised as a fisherman; that was his craft. He was fishing all night though and had nothing to show for it. It’s like you or I spending all day doing what we’re best at but totally stuck on a problem. Then some random guy shows up and is like, “Hey, try it again!” We might sarcastically think, “You mean the thing I’ve tried seventy times today? If you say so.”
It was an act of faith and obedience for Peter to do what Jesus asked. We are called to do whatever Christ asks of us. Prior to Jesus turning water into wine at the Cana wedding feast, his mother Mary gives us all sound advice:
His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”—John 2:5
It is also an act of humility to say, “Even though this is my craft, I don’t know everything, but God does and if he’s telling me to do something, I ought to!”
Not sure what God wants you to do with your life? YouTube: Father Mike and Ascension Presents: What’s My Vocation?
