FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME FEBRUARY 6, 2022

MASS READINGS

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Lk 5:1-11

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.

REFLECTION

“Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.”

We have all heard the following quotes:

"When at first you don't succeed try and try again."   

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

We can feel the fatigue, discouragement and frustration of Simon, known as Peter. No fish for the night’s work. Yet, Jesus tells him to do that which they have already done. And which, quite frankly, did not make much sense. It seems as if Peter thought he knew better. After all that was his profession.

But why did he obey Jesus?

Pure graces given to Simon by God as he had been listening to Jesus preach.

This response of faith and willingness to obey is what the Lord asks each and every one of us. And in Simon's trustful obedience, God creates a miraculous catch.

Do we find ourselves thinking that life should be different for ourselves or others? Do we forge ahead without discerning or asking God what we should do? Do we stop and wait for the Lord's answer?

"Do not be afraid", says the Lord. Will fear keep us away from walking toward Him? Do we find reasons to not follow Jesus? Obligations, family, agreements, complacency, jobs and procrastination will always be excuses. With the grace the Lord gives us, we can find the courage to "put out in the deep".

When God calls us, He will custom make the graces needed to fit our situation.

Listen to God and let Him surprise us.

God Bless You.