Sunday, Feb. 9, is the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Mass readings: Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8; Psalm 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 or 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, 11; Luke 5:1-11.

Today’s Gospel describes the call of Simon Peter. The crux is that Peter’s faith is strengthened by his obedience to the Lord’s command.

Let’s see how the Lord grows Peter’s faith.

The text says that Jesus, “getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.”

This initial request (to put out from shore) is just a small thing; it’s not hard for Peter to do. It is a small way for him to learn the obedience of faith. This is where the Lord begins, with both Peter and us. He trains us in greater obedience by means of smaller things. Don’t overlook the small, daily acts of obedience to the Lord in your life.

The text then explains that Jesus 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.”

Now, the Lord invites Peter to “put out into deep water.” For a moment, Peter hesitates, tired and, frankly, discouraged. There was probably some doubt in Peter’s heart and a hint of sarcasm in his voice; this hesitation must be healed if Peter is ever to see his blessings and reach his destiny. So, too, for some of us. Perhaps we’ve heard the Lord calling us to some task, but hesitated because we were tired or discouraged.

But what happens when Peter, and we, trust?

The text recounts, “When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing.”

In this matter, the Lord grants Peter a great grace: enjoying the fruits of obedience in a very immediate way. In other cases the harvest is not so immediate, but this much is always true: It is promised and it will come, whether today or years from now.

How does Peter respond?

“When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, ‘Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.’ … Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.’”

Peter is about to raised higher by the Lord, who says, in effect, “You will be my coworker in a far more important enterprise.” Peter realizes that his hesitation and doubt were sinful and that, had he persisted and not obeyed the Lord, he would have blocked his blessings.

At your command, I will lower the nets.

Faith is rooted in obedience and humility. That is the key to our growth as disciples.