Reading 1 1 PT 4:7B-11
Beloved: Be serious and sober-minded so that you will be able to pray. Above all, let your love for one another be intense, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace. Whoever preaches, let it be with the words of God; whoever serves, let it be with the strength that God supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Gospel 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 they 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
Have you ever complained when someone suggests you do something their way?
Did you try to follow their plan or did you just ignore their idea? Or say I can’t do that!
I think I have been in that situation many times. Stubbornly, I would react struggling to do it my way. Only to give up in frustration. Then there were times I did listen to their suggestion and reluctantly did the task their way. Lo, and behold! Their way worked with less struggle!
My husband and I worked together on building our home. There was a time he had put together the framework for a wall that was 24 ft. tall by 30 ft. long (I may be exaggerating a little on the height.). Then he proceeded to explain to me that I was to hold the wall steady while he was on top of the wall putting the header across the top. Of course, he had some 2 x 4’s bracing the wall on the opposite side, but that didn’t stop the wall from moving. I could not believe that I would be able to keep the wall stable enough to prevent him from falling or the wall and him from falling. He told me trust him and just keep the wall from twisting or tilting too much. I did as he asked reluctantly and fearfully. He shimmied along the top hammering the top plate as he went, while I held the wall steady and silently asking “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph” keep us safe. I couldn’t look up to watch him because I would lose focus on my task. After what seemed like an hour, he was down on the ground looking at me with a smile. “Mission accomplished!” I said, “Amen.”
Peter just knew that there were no fish in the area because they fished all night unsuccessfully. Yet, he does as Jesus suggests, maybe even reluctantly. "Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets." What a surprise at the number of fish caught! When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man."
The Lord has a plan. We need to trust in him. As we face the challenge of the Coronavirus and how to react, think about what our Spiritual Advisor has asked us to do.
“ I exhort everyone to make a commitment to become a true PRAYER WARRIOR.
Let us fight the good fight of faith without fear for the Lord is on our side and He will always be by our side.
Let us STOP spreading the fear, but FOCUS on the LORD.
Let Jesus be in charge. Let the Lord be GOD.” (Father Michael’s response to PAPA members who are worried about the spread of the Coronavirus, March 15th).
Please look at our devotions on this Website. Pray our Prayer for Priests, Pray to St. Joseph the protector of the Church, fast and pray the rosary! Be a true PRAYER WARRIOR. PRAY!
Happy St. Patrick's Day! He was a powerful prayer warrior and missionary! God bless you all !
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