The first reading and the gospel describe the presence of God in very different ways. Isaiah has a vision of God enthroned in splendour. He uses colourful imagery like a throne, smoke and seraphs to portray the Divine Majesty. Mark, on the other hand, describes God Incarnate in an everyday setting, accompanying the fishermen in their boat. God is seen from different perspectives. There is a similarity also in the two texts. Both Isaiah and the fishermen are conscious of their unworthiness. However, God often chooses this type of person, because they have a willingness to allow God to lead them and to supply what is missing.
Peter had great faith in Jesus. He himself was an experienced fisherman and knew the lake. He had fished all night and caught nothing. However, he was prepared to do what Jesus commanded, even though Jesus was not a fishermen, and he cast his nets as instructed.
Many of the people of the time would have seen the God of Isaiah’s vision, not the one standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. They would not have been able to imagine a God who looked just like them. It was the humble and lowly who recognised something special in Jesus.