Coming to deeper self-knowledge and a truer sense of our sinfulness, typically occurs in stages—from being more superficial to becoming more profound. In today’s gospel, Peter comes to an awareness of his sinful condition—depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man. However, this acknowledgment—though sincere—is still only superficial. This becomes clear in that later post-resurrection encounter on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Once again, Jesus instructs the disciples to cast the net and, despite a night of fruitless effort, Peter doesn’t object but simply obeys. And, this time, at the sight of the great catch of fish, he doesn’t implore Jesus to depart from him, but actually plunges into the sea and swims to Jesus on the shore. This suggests that his earlier depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man, was still the exclamation of a proud man whose pride had been wounded and left him ashamed. But by the time he encounters Jesus after the resurrection, his triple denial has exposed the depths of his still sinful heart and borne fruit in that precious gift of humility. This is a reminder to us that, despite a keen awareness of our sinfulness, true humility will actually draw us into the heart of Christ, whereas mere wounded pride and shame will tempt us to hide from him.