Greetings on this the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8; Psalm 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11
The Story of Simon’s Boat
The crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret.
- Simon listened to Jesus speak – from a distance. He was washing his nets after a long unsuccessful night fishing. But he listened as Jesus spoke. His hands were busy with washing nets, his heart was listening to the Lord speak.
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.
- Jesus made a request. Simon help me out. I want to keep teaching the people but it would help to do it from a boat so my voice projects up the shoreline hills. So he did as Jesus requested. A small request and no doubt a sense of honor at being asked, the teacher needed my help. Simon continued to listen now more closely than ever. Sitting right by Jesus in his own boat. In his place of business and livelihood. How he defines himself (fisherman) is within touching distance of Jesus.
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.”
- Jesus makes an improbable request. He is not a professional fisherman like me. Doesn’t he know there is no hope for a catch this time of day and this close to the shore? Jesus makes his second request. Simon help me out. I want to thank you for letting me use your boat with a catch of the very fish you tried to find last night. It’s a wild idea really. Only out of respect (“Master”) does Simon agree.
When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”
- Depart from me, he said. Simon, had heard Jesus preach twice and perform a superabundant miracle of catching fish. Simon knows Jesus is a holy man of some sort at this point. The revelation is the difference in degree – he and me. Simon’s head is spinning. You are holy Master of some sort, Jesus, yet you ask me for help and then bless me with a night’s catch (confession/profession). This is frightening.
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.
- I don’t know how far out they were nor how long it took to get to shore with the overloaded boats. But in that short time, Simon processes all he could in the moment. Teaching, Miracle, Closeness, Honor, Master, and Help. The idea of catching men even more wild but somehow thinkable.
Progressive Relationship building
Our relationship with the divine life usually occurs in stages, just like OCIA.
- We listen from afar.
- We listen closer up, a little concession of will.
- We receive blessings.
- Confession/Profession.
- We imagine the impossible of hope in, through and with him.
First Importance
For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures; that he was buried; that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.
And as we read in the Book of Isaiah
- Then I said, “Woe is me, I am doomed! For I am a man of unclean lips, living among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”
- He touched my mouth with it (the ember), and said, “See, now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, your sin purged.”
- Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” “Here I am,” I said; “send me!”
Next Steps
Let Jesus into your boat.
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020925.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry