Ukrainian Catholic ChurchAustralia, New Zealand and Oceania
Homily by Fr. Ruslan Babii on the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
September 21, 2024
Christ teaches His future disciples — and all of us — that we must rely on Him, even when it seems like a waste of time, even when it feels pointless, or we believe we know better. Those who give up easily, especially in their spiritual endeavors, risk losing their way if they surrender to worldly thoughts. But for those who persevere against all odds and trust in the Lord, victory awaits in the end.
The first thing I want to highlight is Peter’s initial response to Christ’s call to cast the net — he firmly denies the possibility of catching any fish. Despite this, Peter follows Christ’s command, sails out into the deep, throws down the net, and becomes part of a miracle. Finally, Peter acknowledges his sinfulness, and in response, Christ reassures him, saying, “Do not be afraid,” inviting him and the disciples to become His apostles.
As an experienced fisherman, Peter relied on his expertise, trying to avoid wasting time, both his and his companions’. Feel the desperation in Peter’s words as he tells Jesus that they’ve worked all night and caught nothing. Exhausted and frustrated, Peter, like many of us, questions the point of continuing. Who among us hasn’t felt this way — spinning in circles, working hard, only to feel exhausted and discouraged? We strive for success, earning more, trying to improve our lives, yet so much seems futile in the perspective of eternity. Our material possessions break, requiring more of our labor, but they hold no lasting value. They are only temporary means, meant to serve as a testimony of our love for God and for neighbors in need.
Peter thinks, “I’m only doing this because Jesus asked me to. But when these nets come up empty again, I’ll say — I warned you.” Peter has no expectation other than failure. How often do our own lives mirror this feeling of discouragement?
Yet, in the next moment, the unimaginable happens. Peter and the others pull up the nets — overflowing with fish — so much that two boats are filled to the point of nearly sinking. A miracle! How drastically different life can be when Jesus is with us! Christ shows us that even when things seem foolish or pointless, trusting Him leads to incredible outcomes. The fishermen’s obedience was rewarded with an abundant catch. Peter, ready to give up in the face of failure, continued only because Christ insisted. Those who persevere and trust in the Lord, even when it seems hopeless, will experience victory in the end. God, who has absolute power over creation, can perform miracles, and everything is possible through Him.
The Bible and the lives of saints are full of stories of God’s miracles, where entire nations were saved by His intervention. Many miracles are rewards for faith and prayer, but they align with God’s plan for humanity as a whole and for each individual.
James and John were equally amazed at the miracle. Peter, falling to his knees, said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” In his humility, Peter recognizes his unworthiness to be with Jesus. But Christ reassures him, telling him that the time has come for them to become “fishers of men.” They return to shore, leave everything behind, and follow Christ. These ordinary men, with no worldly knowledge, were uprooted from their familiar lives to preach the gospel. They became the leaders of Christ’s Church, despite facing hardship, labor, hatred, violence, and eventually martyrdom. Yet their obedience to Christ brought them eternal life and a martyr’s crown in the Kingdom of Heaven. They became fishers of souls, catching people in the net of Christ for salvation. As St. Gregory the Theologian writes, “Fishermen are the Teachers of the Church, who catch us in the net of faith and bring us ashore to the land of the living.”
Conclusion: As Christians, we are also called to be fishers for Christ. Look at the world around us — think of Ukraine and its cities ravaged by war, the natural disasters across the globe, and the overwhelming evil we see. Many people are lost, confused, and desperate, like frightened fish in a vast sea. If they could only find Christ, they would discover the peace and joy that we have through our faith. Our task is to help them — to cast our nets as Christ commands, and to bring them to Him.
How do we do this? By being witnesses to Christ through our lives. If we show kindness, patience, and mercy to our neighbors and help those in need, we begin our testimony. By modeling Christian virtues in our families — praying, fasting, attending Mass, and staying close to the Church — we show others the path. Finally, we should not be ashamed of our faith or of Christ’s Church. Let’s remember that if we are ashamed of Him, He will be ashamed of us in His Kingdom. If we know friends or acquaintances who do not live a religious life, we can invite them to join us in worship. Let us no longer shy away from sharing our faith, thinking it is a private matter.
May each of us follow in the footsteps of Saints Peter, James, and John, becoming fishers of souls for Christ. Let us reject all that distracts us from our true purpose — salvation. Like the apostles, may we leave behind worldly sorrow and follow Christ, bringing the gift of salvation to all who are searching for it.
