Words of Hope and a Miracle...
Reflections on the readings for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (February 10, 2019): IS 6:1-2,3-8; PS 135:1-2,2-3,4-5,7-8; 1COR 15:1-11; LK 5:1-11
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
The story of the encounter of Jesus with His earliest disciples is rich in meaning for all of us.
It reveals what it means to turn our lives over to Christ and how far faith can take us. Jesus singles out Simon Peter, by asking him to let him use his boat to speak to the crowd. Afterwards, even though the fishermen had previously caught nothing, they obey Jesus and try again – only to get a huge catch of fish. “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” (Luke 5:8-10).
Not only does Peter recognize this holy preacher and miracle worker as “Lord,” he also acknowledges his own unworthiness to be in the presence of Jesus. Peter and the others were overwhelmed by the power of Christ and immediately drawn to Him. During His ministry, Jesus spoke to thousands of people. Many of them came to believe in His message of redemption. Yet only a handful would follow our Lord as did as those He met that day on the lakeshore. And only Peter would become the one chosen to lead His Church. And that extraordinary day started with Peter going about his business just as he had done for years. Then he met Jesus and his life changed forever.
