Today we hear St. Paul being emphatic about what the Gospel really is, about the truth of Jesus’ life and death and resurrection, and about the witnesses who could testify to this truth. Paul’s own part in that witness came as a result of a personal revelation given on the road to Damascus.
Peter is conscious of being such a sinful person. To find himself associated with this holy man, Jesus, not for the first time, telling someone not to be afraid. Follow the Lord and all will be well. And so, leaving their nets behind them, these simple fishermen set off on a journey that has never ended.
We too find ourselves in this company of Jesus, and invited to be preachers of the Gospel. We, too, know only too well how feeble and frail we can be. But we are not asked to rely on our own strength but to follow the Lord. His grace is enough for us. We are only earthen vessels that carry this treasure, but what a treasure it is! This world of ours, this globe, sees the drama of everyday life, and we are part of it. Let us be a Gospel part of it.