Cycle C - Year I:

10 February 2013 - 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical color: Green)

Luke 5:1-11

From catching fish, to catching men!

The reputation of Jesus as miracle worker and great speaker has spread in the neighborhood. Wherever he goes, people are pressing in on him to listen to him speak the word of God and witness his mighty acts.

Today St. Luke narrates to us the miracle of the great catch of fish. Simon, also called Peter, and his companions who were fishermen have worked hard all night but caught no fish. But when Jesus commanded Simon Peter to lower the nets, he readily obeyed. And lo and behold, they caught a great number of fish that their nets were tearing. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them.

Simon Peter was overwhelmed that he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man." But Jesus told Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." So Simon Peter and his companions left everything and followed Jesus as disciples.

What is the significance of the miracle of the great catch of fish? Well, Jesus used this occasion to impart an important life lesson. This incident tells us how God works in and through us for his glory. God expects of us greater things than we can do by ourselves. But we need to cooperate with him, so that we can accomplish far beyond what we can do on our own.

God does not force himself on us. With all his mighty power, God wills to do nothing without us, without our consent or "yes". So when we respond to God's word with faith and obedience (like what Simon Peter did with the nets even though they have caught nothing the whole night) then we are changed and made a "new creation in Christ", according to St. Paul (2 Cor. 5:17)

We realize that more often God chooses ordinary people, perhaps like you and me, as his instruments or ambassadors, and he also uses the ordinary circumstances in our day-to-day lives and work situations to draw others into his kingdom.

Jesus speaks to us today with the same message as he told Simon Peter: we will be catching people for the kingdom of God if we allow the light of Jesus Christ to shine through us. God wants others to see the light of Christ in us in the way we live, speak, and witness the joy of the Gospel.

In the Eucharist at Mass and in this Year of Faith, let us rediscover the beauty of our Catholic faith as we respond to God's call to service and become "fishers of men" in our time and generation by the example of our Christian living.

The Church also celebrates today Pro-Life Sunday. Let us pray for Christ's life-giving love as we promote and affirm the dignity and sacredness of all human life.A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Deo Optimo Maximo!