The miraculous catch of fish

Today's Gospel teaches us to seek ever to learn who Jesus is. Peter knew him, yet he still did not know that he is master of all things: even the fish and the sea. For he is their maker and preserver. And so we need to learn that he in whom we trust is able to do far and away more than  we ask or think. Even when his enemies arrested him, beat him, spat on him, and crucified him: the only reason this happened so is that he wanted it to happen so. For he wanted to redeem us and reconcile us to God, so merciful is he. So also every thing that occurs in our lives are under his control, for our ultimate good. So must we, like Peter, confess our unworthiness, in that we so easily forget this. Yet there is more to learn from this Gospel, in which Jesus says to Peter, Henceforth thou shalt catch men. He even orders the events here in such a way as to illustrate spiritual things. The washing of the nets is like Baptism;  the preaching of Jesus is what comes next, as the proclamation of the word is what happens next in Christian life. And then trouble comes, for the nets break. But then comes help, from the partners in the other boat. But ultimately the boats begin to sink, even as we tend ever toward the grave. But what comes last?  The come to shore and are astonished. So also shall Christian life have its end: the shore of eternal life and utter astonishment at the things he has prepared for us. Sermon for Trinity V. The video is here.