Fish for People

The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament^* proclaims his handiwork (Psalm 19:1). The psalmist from the texts of the RomanCatholic Lectionary today proclaims truth. Encounter with the mystery and majesty of God through the sheer awesome reality of nature and the created world seems to be an experience which touches fewer human hearts in our time. Paul addresses the Romans about our justification before God through faith. Our hearts awakened by God through a touch from another human or from the world around us are invited to faith in God. The action of telling others about the joy and peace in faith is both natural and challenging. The choice of fishermen by Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew today is seen by Friar Jude Winkler as an example of how God transforms our talents to make the action of confessing the Word begin with developing qualities in our being which are already there. MarkLatta of Creighton University initiates an action of confessing with his lips today in his reflection on the challenge of the priority which love and trust in God is meant to have in our lives. It is number one priority! The working out of faith is done in developing trust. The desire we have for the best for those we love is an expression of Love. It is best realized as we trust the invitation to “Follow Him” as Matthew testifies in the Gospel today of the calling of the four fishermen, Peter, Andrew, James and John. The short biography of Andrew by Leonard Foley, O.F.M. and revised by Pat McCloskey, O.F.M., patron Saint of Scotland (and other countries) notes that as an Apostle, we understand that his life changed. A commentator writes “the Gospels give us little about the holiness of Andrew. He was an apostle. That is enough. He was called personally by Jesus to proclaim the Good News, to heal with Jesus' power and to share his life and death. Holiness today is no different.” Fishers know that special talent and technique are required to patiently draw marine life from the water. Patience, perseverance, presence, faith, dedication, determination, bravery and love are some of the talents of natural fishers. The gift of faith brings the trust that this foundation will be transformed by God into a living Temple confessing Love in action.