'Catching People'...
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 “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
Again and again in the Gospels we hear Jesus tell people not to be afraid. But it’s unsurprising that some might react to Him in fear.
While He was not trying to distress those He met, Christ’s words of hope could be overwhelming because He Himself was so different, charismatic and truthful. Christ’s miraculous wonders and healings were anything but ordinary, everyday occurrences. Here was someone set apart, someone deserving of attention. After the great catch of fish, Simon Peter confessed his sinfulness to our Lord who clearly was holy. “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 5:10-11).
Yet the last thing that Christ wanted was for anyone to turn away from Him. On the contrary, our Savior came for each of us – all for us. He embraces anyone who comes to Him in humble faith. That was true of Peter and it is true of us. Jesus also told the simple man who would become the rock of His Church that he would exchange catching fish for catching people. And “catching” people is meant to be a real part of our own lives as well. We must not be content to keep our belief in Christ to ourselves. Through our prayers, words and example we need to courageously proclaim to the world that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Suggested missionary action: Let us spend some time thinking about what it would mean to leave everything behind to follow Jesus. And let us consider how we can follow Him more fully today – and then try to do so.
