“Depart from me Lord. I’m a sinful man.” That’s what Peter said to Jesus just after Peter experienced the miracle of the great catch of fish at the Lake of Galilee. Peter and his fisherman friends had been at it all night, searching for a school of fish. Nothing. In the morning Jesus called out to them: “Have you caught anything?” “No,” was the response. “Cast your nets on the other side of the boat.” They netted so many fish that their boat was beginning to sink and they called to the others to come in their boat to help.
That’s the context of Peter’s remark to the Lord that he is too sinful to be around him. Peter likely meant he dealt with the seven deadly sins personally and found himself unholy and ritually impure often. We learn later that Peter was a self-centered and impatient man, at times hard to get along with.
Jesus simply puts his trust in Peter and tells him to come along with him and that he would make him a fisherman of souls. If Peter though that fish were slippery he was going to learn that people are difficult to hold on to, more so than fish. He was going to be Peter, the Apostle.
How wonderful is that! Even though Peter feels his dark side exposed at the presence of Jesus, Peter falls to the ground, admits his sin and Jesus does not even give him a penance. Instead he offer him a challenge and a gift. He simply says that Peter should come along with him to share a new life. Jesus knew what he was doing. He saw an apostle in Peter, a repentant man and called the best out of him.
God’s grace in Jesus Christ saves the sinner and offers a hope that Peter can hardly believe. Jesus sees our sinfulness and doesn’t walk away from us but tells us to get up and follow Him to new life. He teaches us that God loves us despite our sin.