Don’t Catch the Truck!

Greetings on this the Thursday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Colossians 1:9-14; Psalm 98:2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6; Luke 5:1-11

Summary

In today’s gospel portion paired with the first reading, we can draw a lesson of not chasing trucks like wild dogs! Chasing trucks would mean revenge, karma and other less than virtuous things we impulsively want but are really just hard work and only empty nets to show for it.

We do not cease praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding to live in a manner worthy of the Lord, so as to be fully pleasing, in every good work bearing fruit and growing in the knowledge of God, strengthened with every power, in accord with his glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy giving thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light. He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Col 1:9-14).

Come after me, says the Lord, and I will make you fishers of men (MT 4:19).

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.= (MT 5:4-6).

Reflection

Be honest. Aren’t you glad you DIDN’T get what you wanted? It’s like the dogs who chase the trucks going down the road barking furiously at the truck. Then the truck stops. Now what? Often what we want is not good for us. The Lord resists that impulse best we allow him.

• Revenge?
• Karma?
• Something else?

Personal Reflection

The Lord calls me and you to the higher purposes and the best goal (Letter to Colossians).

• Prayer.
• Knowledge of his will.
• Spiritual wisdom.
• A worthy life.
• Pleasing to God.
• Bearing good fruit.
• Endurance and patience.
• Thankfulness.
• Community, Light and the Kingdom.
• Freed from darkness
• Freed from sin.
• Forgiveness.
• Redemption.

I think I am GLAD I didn’t catch the truck of revenge and Karma. I’d rather be a fisher of men and an active agent in the building of the Kingdom of God.

Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/090425.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry