(James Tissot: The first miraculous drought of fish)
Luke 5: 1-11
"Let down your nets for a catch"
The Word: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020622.cfm
If the fishing story in the Gospel this
Sunday impresses you, just press your finger to your wrist or neck. The unconscious beat of our heart goes on and
on pumping blood rich with oxygen throughout our body. It is miraculous when you think about
it. God breathes his life into us and
the heart continuously pumps day in day out for years whether we are awake or
asleep. Without it, we could not live.
Such miracles of life happen right before our eyes and we’re completely unaware
of it.
Our readings this Sunday present the
miraculous as well in the call of Isaiah the prophet and the call of the
disciples on the Sea. While Isaiah’s
mystical experience in the Temple is personal to him alone God unexpectedly
intervenes in this new prophet’s life and Isaiah willingly answers the
call: “Here I am; send me!” How unique
among the prophets for Isaiah’s unusual willingness to embrace that tough and
hostile vocation.
Luke tells us in the Gospel that Jesus was
already engaged in his teaching ministry along the shores of the Sea of
Galilee. The crowds were enthralled by
this young rabbi who taught with a certain authority, charisma, and presence
they had never experienced before. They
were “pressing in” and “listening to the word of God” spoken by Jesus. Whether
they simply wanted to hear better in the midst of the crowd or were deeply
impressed by Jesus’ teaching, as is indicated many other places, our Lord
recognized that he needed to do something before the crowd would overwhelm him.
Certainly the fishermen, Simon (Peter), James
and John as well as others, must have heard something of what Jesus was saying
but they were engaged in their work and maybe didn’t pay much attention. Other teachers had done the same in the past
so this man was likely just another.
At one point, Jesus asks Simon as he boards
his boat without invitation to push out a short distance. Like the Lord who appears to Isaiah
unexpectedly, Jesus commands Simon to push out. With the natural effect of the
water and the surrounding hills, his voice would travel more effectively. But
there is much more.
So, Simon follows Jesus’ request. Soon our Lord tells Simon to “Put out into
deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”
Go out farther beyond your comfort zone and beyond what seems
reasonable. Simon protests and says that they’ve been doing so all night in a
futile attempt to catch anything. The
fish just aren’t there right now. After all, what does this preacher from Nazareth
know about fishing – still he does what Jesus tells him to do. It is somewhat
reminiscent of his first miracle at Cana when Mary says: “Do whatever he tells
you.” Isn't that key to discipleship?
So, Simon puts out and lowers the nets once
more. To his astonishment and that of his fishing companions, “they caught a
great number of fish and their nets were tearing . . . they filled both boats
so that the boats were in danger of sinking.”
If you’ve seen the series of episodes from “The Chosen,” you may
remember how beautifully this crucial moment is portrayed.
Symbolic of the future ministry of the
Apostles and the many who will come to believe in Christ through them, with
awestruck humility Simon addresses Jesus: “Go away from me Lord, for I am a
sinful man.” He may be speaking about
all in the boat who feel the same in the face of Jesus’ miraculous power.
Before God we stand in awe.
Simply at Jesus command, at his mere word,
abundance appears. Jesus uses this event
to call his disciples with the familiar turn of phrase: “Do not be afraid; from
now on you will be catching men (all people).” These now dubbed “fishers of
men” leave behind the familiar and with adventure they follow Jesus into the
unknown. Into the uncharted waters as it
were to engage themselves in this mission of Christ. Jesus does not dispute Simon’s claim that
they are sinful men but calls them all the same and recognizes their potential
if they continue to do whatever he tells them in trust. Grace comes to us not
because we deserve it but because we are loved. Great things will happen if we
partner with Christ who works even through our feebleness.
Other confirmations stand clear in the
Gospels. The Angel Gabriel assures Mary:
“All things are possible with God.” Mary says to the servers: “Do whatever he
tells you.” Jesus asks the disciples to give him the small portion of fish and
bread to feed more than 5,000 hungry souls. He asks those who seek healing if
they have faith in him. The same is true for us.
To be a Christian a Catholic is not just a
name or a title or a Church I attend. It means something to continue the
mission Jesus’ established in his Church. If we immerse ourselves in the
promise of Jesus that if we keep God the absolute center of my life and I use
that relationship to measure all things, then who knows what God will work
through us. It is not what we do on our own but what we allow Christ to do in
and through us but it demands that we “put out into deep water.” This was a
favorite phrase of Pope St. John Paul II but it’s not a promise of success or
an easy life. We pray for trust and listen to what the Lord tells us through
our prayer, in his Church, in the daily events of our life and the people we
meet.
Still, like our unconscious heartbeat, let’s
not think that Christ has not already called us and worked through us. It may
not be impressive and grand miraculous events.
But it may be the grace of his presence in our lives. Take a moment and look back on your life
journey so far to moments that now show you God’s work.
A loving parent and faithful husband and wife
live out their vocation in holiness or a priest who commits himself to
faithfully carry out his ministry. It may be a faith that has grown and matured
over the years. It may be a wonderful
family or a satisfying and fulfilling ministry, yet not at all without
challenges. We can never second guess
what God will do for those who trust in his word and put out in the uncharted
waters.
We know that his sacramental presence in the Holy Eucharist is miraculous and far more than we can imagine as he feeds us with this bread of life, this food for the journey.
Take some time to
reflect on the abundance in your life.
How and where has our Lord shown you that he is present to you? Where do you feel called to do more with him?
Am I satisfied with what I have or am I constantly seeking more, in competition
with others, jealous of what they have and what I feel I don’t have? Go fishing!
Listen graciously to the prayers of this family,
whom you have summoned before you:
in your compassion, O merciful Father,
gather to yourself all your children
scattered throughout the world
(Eucharistic Prayer III)
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