Fishers of Men – Trusting the Call Beyond Fear

“Fishers of Men” – 48" x 36" Oil on Canvas

One of the most powerful stories in the Gospels takes place on the shore of Galilee, where Jesus calls Simon to leave everything behind and follow Him. The scene begins with Jesus teaching the crowds from Simon’s empty boat, but it quickly becomes a life-changing moment.

After finishing His teaching, Jesus tells Simon to push out into deeper waters and let down his nets. Simon hesitates—he has just finished cleaning his nets after a long night with no fish. Yet his response is simple: “If you say so.”

That act of obedience opened the door to a miracle.

The Miracle of the Overflowing Nets

When Simon lets down the nets, they fill with so many fish that they begin to tear. He calls for another boat, and soon both are overflowing, sinking from the weight of abundance.

But the miracle of the catch wasn’t the only transformation happening in that moment. Simon, overwhelmed by what he witnessed, falls to his knees before Jesus. Instead of rejoicing in the blessing, he cries out: “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” (Luke 5:8)

Why would he respond this way? Because when confronted with the wonders of God, Simon suddenly saw what he must have believed was his unworthiness. He wasn’t just in awe of the miracle—he was in awe of the One who performed it.

Jesus Sees Who We Really Are

Jesus doesn’t dwell on Simon’s sin, nor does He affirm his feelings of unworthiness. Instead, He speaks straight to Simon’s identity: “Do not be afraid. From now on, you will fish for people.”

Simon was caught between fear and faith. Yet Jesus called him beyond fear into a new identity—a Fisher of Men. He was invited to see himself not as he had been, but as he was created to be.

And so, Simon left everything—the nets, the fish, the security of his old life—and followed Jesus.

Faith That Moves Us Forward

In this moment, Simon’s journey mirrors our own. At first, his faith was small but real: “If you say so, Lord, I’ll cast the net again.” In the end, his faith grew into trust—not only in who Jesus was, but in who Jesus said Simon was.

This is the invitation for each of us: to hear His call, to quiet the fear, and to step into the purpose God has placed before us. What miracle is waiting on the other side of your obedience? What call has God placed on your life that requires you to let go of fear and trust Him?

About the Painting

In my painting, “Fishers of Men,” I wanted to capture both the miracle of the nets bursting with fish and the deeper miracle—the calling of Simon Peter. The light and intensity of the scene point us to that defining moment where fear meets faith, and where a fisherman becomes a disciple.

Simon’s story reminds us that God does not call the perfect—He calls the willing. He sees beyond our fear, beyond our past, and beyond our failures. He sees the person He created us to be.

So, what have you been called to?

Luke 5:1-11 devotional

Daughter - Your Faith Has Healed You

“Daughter - Your Faith Has Healed You” 36” X 24” Oil on Canvas

“Daughter – Your Faith Has Healed You”

In three of the Gospels, we read of a woman whose name is never mentioned, yet her story has echoed through the centuries. She is remembered not for her status, wealth, or accomplishments, but for one thing alone—her faith.

This woman had endured twelve long years of suffering with an incurable condition. Scripture tells us that her illness only grew worse, despite spending everything she had on doctors. Broken in body and in spirit, she had no reason left to hope—until she heard whispers of Jesus.

I imagine the moment her ears first caught His name. Something stirred inside her soul, something she thought had died long ago. Hope.

Reaching for the Hem

When Jesus passed by, she pressed through the crowds with one simple thought: If I just touch His garment, I will be healed (Matthew 9:21). She reached out her hand to grasp the tassel—the fringe of His robe. These tassels, commanded in the Law, were meant to remind Israel to remember the Lord. For her, this single tassel became her lifeline, her cry to God that she had not been forgotten.

Her faith was bold. After years of unanswered prayers and pain, she still dared to believe. And in that one courageous act, she touched Jesus. Scripture says that instantly, she was healed.

The Power of Faith and the Power of Jesus

But the story doesn’t end with her physical healing. Jesus felt power go out from Him and turned to ask, “Who touched Me?” Though the woman tried to hide, trembling and afraid, she finally fell before Him and confessed everything.

It is here, in this intimate exchange, that the miracle deepens. Jesus doesn’t only recognize her act of faith—He gives her a new identity. He looks at her and calls her Daughter.

In that moment, she was not just healed. She was made whole. She was no longer defined by her suffering but by her faith. No longer hidden, she was seen, known, and cherished as daughter.

The Meaning Behind the Painting

In my painting, “Daughter – Your Faith Has Healed You,” I sought to capture this exchange— faith moving towards Jesus and the power of Jesus moving towards faith. It is a reminder that no matter how hopeless life feels, one act of faith can change everything.

Her story invites us to ask: Where do we need to reach out in faith today? Where have we lost hope? The same Jesus who healed her calls us sons and daughters, inviting us to step out of hiding and into wholeness.

New Covenant – The Bread of Life

“Jesus has made Himself the Bread of Life to give us life. Night and day, He is there. If you really want to grow in love, come back to the Eucharist, come back to that Adoration.” – Saint Teresa of Calcutta

The Meaning Behind New Covenant

This 16” x 20” oil on canvas, titled New Covenant, reflects the deep mystery of Christ offering Himself as the Bread of Life. In John 6, Jesus declares, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.” These words are not symbolic alone—they point us to the eternal promise of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist.

As I painted this piece, I reflected on how Jesus has given Himself fully—body, soul, and divinity—so that we might have life. Communion is more than remembrance; it is participation in the covenant of love He sealed with His blood. Through it, we are invited into ongoing communion with Him.

Why the New Covenant Matters

From the Old Testament sacrifices to the Passover meal, God continually foreshadowed a greater promise—a covenant that would not be written on tablets of stone but written on the hearts of His people. Jesus fulfilled this in the Upper Room when He broke the bread and lifted the cup, saying: “This is My body… this is My blood… do this in remembrance of Me.”

Everyday, we are invited to step into this covenant. Communion is not distant history—it is Christ present here and now. As Saint Teresa of Calcutta so beautifully said, we grow in love when we return to the Eucharist and spend time in His presence.

An Invitation to Adoration

In the stillness of Adoration, we are reminded that Jesus is always near. He does not simply give gifts—He gives Himself. To kneel before the Blessed Sacrament is to stand at the heart of the covenant, where mercy and love flow without end.

My prayer is that this painting will serve as a reminder: the New Covenant is alive. Jesus, the Bread of Life, meets us at the altar and calls us back into His presence, again and again. As you reflect on New Covenant, may your heart be drawn closer to the One who gives Himself unceasingly.