The Call of Peter, James & John.
"While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret.
"He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets.
"Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
"After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”
"Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.”
"When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that the boats were in danger of sinking.
"When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon.
" Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”
"When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him." (Luke 5: 1 - 11).
Thursday 7th September 2023 in the 22nd Week of Ordinary Time.
Our Scripture today is one of my favorites. "Duc in Altum" as St John Paul II liked to call it. "Put out into the Deep" is the call of Jesus to follow Him into Deeper Waters.
Are you ready to follow Jesus into the deeper waters in your vocation or ministry?
“Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”
Peter obeyed the command which seemingly did not make sense to an experienced fisherman.
When Mary heard similar words from the Angel Gabriel, she answered: "Be it done to me according to Your Plan." (Cf Luke 1: 38).
Do you remember Mary's counsel to the stewards in the Marriage Feast at Cana? "Do whatever He tells you." (John 2: 5). They did what Jesus told them and water was made into high quality wine.
Note that in today's Gospel, Peter, James and John recognized that a miracle has occurred. "For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon." Recognition of God's intervention in our lives or in history is a sign of supernatural perspective.
Our faith is expressed in obedience. Peter exercised obedience of faith and a big miracle took place. He fished all night and caught nothing. But at the words of Jesus, Peter was willing to try again. He took a second chance. Peter showed a disposition for obedience of faith. Is this why Jesus tapped him for leadership in the Church?
When God speaks His word to us through the Scriptures, locution, inspiration, prophetic individual or dream, if you do not respond with obedient action, what is wrong? Perhaps you think it is not worth the trouble trying a second time. Our God is the Father of Second Chances.
When Peter responded in faith, he received his calling.
“Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”
"When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him."
Some saints who responded to Jesus and put out in Deep Water:
Maximilian Kolbe, Mother St Teresa of Kolkata, Mother Angelica of EWTN, Father Albert Lauer of Presentation Ministries, Maria Faustina of the Divine Mercy and many others.
Jesus is calling everyone of us to intimate friendship with Him in the great adventure of Evangelization.
"Priests and religious who are tempted to follow a false philosophy of activism, pragmatism, and utilitarianism, or who waste their time on entertainments and distractions, will suffer God’s loving judgments. He will make bitter their false delights, destroy their enterprises, and weaken the efficacy of their work in order to wake them up to their calling of intimate friendship with Him as the source of happiness and the condition for all fruitfulness." (IN SINU JESU page 266).
In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us mercies from her Son Jesus.
For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10
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