The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to consider our role as disciples of Christ in being open to transformation of our talents to serve the Kingdom.
The reading from the Letter to the Colossians is a Prayer for Continued Progress in realizing lives worthy of the Lord
* [1:9–14] Moved by Epaphras’ account, the apostle has prayed and continues to pray fervently for the Colossians that, in their response to the gospel, they may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will (Col 1:9; cf. Col 3:10). Paul expects a mutual interaction between their life according to the gospel and this knowledge (Col 1:10), yielding results (fruit, Col 1:10; cf. Col 1:6) in every good work: growth, strength, endurance, patience, with joy (Col 1:11), and the further giving of thanks (Col 1:12).
* [1:12–14] A summary about redemption by the Father precedes the statement in Col 1:15–20 about the beloved Son who is God’s love in person (Col 1:13). Christians share the inheritance…in light with the holy ones, here probably the angels (Col 1:12). The imagery reflects the Exodus (delivered…transferred) and Jesus’ theme of the kingdom. Redemption is explained as forgiveness of sins (cf. Acts 2:38; Rom 3:24–25; Eph 1:7). (Colossians, CHAPTER 1, n.d.)
Psalm 98 praises the Judge of the World.
* [Psalm 98] A hymn, similar to Ps 96, extolling God for Israel’s victory (Ps 98:1–3). All nations (Ps 98:4–6) and even inanimate nature (Ps 98:7–8) are summoned to welcome God’s coming to rule over the world (Ps 98:9). (Psalms, PSALM 98, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus Calls the First Disciples.
* [5:1–11] This incident has been transposed from his source, Mk 1:16–20, which places it immediately after Jesus makes his appearance in Galilee. By this transposition Luke uses this example of Simon’s acceptance of Jesus to counter the earlier rejection of him by his hometown people, and since several incidents dealing with Jesus’ power and authority have already been narrated, Luke creates a plausible context for the acceptance of Jesus by Simon and his partners. Many commentators have noted the similarity between the wondrous catch of fish reported here (Lk 5:4–9) and the post-resurrectional appearance of Jesus in Jn 21:1–11. There are traces in Luke’s story that the post-resurrectional context is the original one: in Lk 5:8 Simon addresses Jesus as Lord (a post-resurrectional title for Jesus—see Lk 24:34; Acts 2:36—that has been read back into the historical ministry of Jesus) and recognizes himself as a sinner (an appropriate recognition for one who has denied knowing Jesus—Lk 22:54–62). As used by Luke, the incident looks forward to Peter’s leadership in Luke-Acts (Lk 6:14; 9:20; 22:31–32; 24:34; Acts 1:15; 2:14–40; 10:11–18; 15:7–12) and symbolizes the future success of Peter as fisherman (Acts 2:41).
* [5:11] They left everything: in Mk 1:16–20 and Mt 4:18–22 the fishermen who follow Jesus leave their nets and their father; in Luke, they leave everything (see also Lk 5:28; 12:33; 14:33; 18:22), an indication of Luke’s theme of complete detachment from material possessions. (Luke, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)
Eileen Burke Sullivan asks if there is a special desire that God has for each of us? Do we discover that there is work that we can accomplish better than others might? Is there a person to love that we are called to recognize? Are there tasks on behalf of God’s Reign that we can do best at this moment of history?
The second reading hints at this important discovery with the story of Peter and his friends who are fishermen by family, training and geographical location by the Sea of Galilee. These men know the work of gathering fish to sell and eat, but Jesus uses their gifts and training to invite them to a new work – if they will do it as God asks, in God’s time and God’s place. This particular will also includes the important work of reconciliation – Peter recognizes in the Love expressed by Jesus, that he is a sinful person. But Jesus not only brings Peter into the circle of his deep and personal love, he applies his background and training of fishing to the work of the Father. From now on these men will serve as “fishers of human persons” by preaching the good news. By his witness, other persons discover God’s love and live according to God’s desire. These apostles were very successful at this work – even outside of time and place – because they did it for Jesus and the Father. The Spirit empowered them with this capacity.
Ignatius tells us that doing the Father’s Will in our lives is the most important thing we can possibly do. We will be successful (according to God’s definition) if we seek the knowledge of God’s will both general and particular through prayer and gratitude for God’s attention to us.
I pray today that Paul’s words will challenge me to seek, and that Jesus’ invitation will continue to ring in my ear and my heart as I constantly rediscover what I am “for” in this world. Why was I born? To do the Father’s Will. And so were you. (Sullivan, 2023)
Don Schwager quotes “By faith Peter casts the nets of Christ's teaching,” by Maximus of Turin (died between 408-423 AD).
"'That you may understand that the Lord was speaking of spiritual fishing, however, Peter says, 'Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.' It is as if he were saying, 'Through the whole night our fishing has brought us nothing, and we have been laboring in vain. Now I will not fish with fishing gear but with grace, not with diligence acquired by skill but with the perseverance acquired by devotion.' When Peter lets down the nets at the word, therefore, he is in fact letting down the teachings in Christ. When he unfolds the tightly woven and well-ordered nets at the command of the Master, he is really laying out words in the name of the Savior in a fitting and clear fashion. By these words he is able to save not creatures but souls. 'We toiled all night,' he says, 'and took nothing.' Peter, who beforehand was unable to see in order to make a catch, enduring darkness without Christ, had indeed toiled through the whole night. But when the Savior's light shone upon him the darkness scattered, and by faith he began to discern in the deep what he could not see with his eyes." (excerpt from SERMON 110.2.1) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 5:1-11 comments that Jesus didn’t reject Peter because of his sin. He didn’t walk away and look for someone better qualified. Instead, he poured out his love and mercy and called Peter to his side.
It can be hard not to get discouraged by our sins. We might want to avoid getting too close to Jesus because we are afraid of what he’ll say to us. If that describes you, let this story reassure you. Jesus’ love for you is so pure and full of mercy that there’s no room for condemnation or rejection. All he wants is to forgive you and heal you. All he wants is to renovate every “room” in your heart so that you can know his goodness and share it with the people around you. So “do not be afraid” (Luke 5:10)!
“Thank you, Lord, for looking upon me with infinite mercy and love!” (Meditation on Luke 5:1-11, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that the author of the Letter to the Colossians, like Paul, speaks of the need for spiritual understanding and good practice in faith expressed in the things we do. The experience of Peter and the abundance of fish invites contemplation of two possible responses to something extraordinarily holy. Friar Jude reminds us that our relationship with God transforms the motivation and purpose of our work to express the Love of God.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that the book St. Francis and the Foolishness of God describes Francis of Assisi’s prophetic call to “change sides” and embrace relationships with those on the margins, as Jesus did.
Deep mourning over the social conditions that make people poor may be the first step we non-poor can take to internalize the beatitudes: “Blessed are you who are now weeping; you shall laugh” [Luke 6:21]. Mourning implies a terrible sense of loss, of regret, an acknowledgment of the real, and a feeling of pain in the face of that reality. Weeping and mourning emerge from our affective side and are profoundly healthy emotions for those of us who are more privileged, who will never fully share the lot of those who are impoverished by the system that creates our wealth, but who at least can weep over the tragedy of human suffering. Emotions help describe us as whole people and, if joined with righteous indignation at the injustices that cause marginalization, can lead us toward a relinquishment of the power and privilege that maintain injustice, and toward a solidarity with those who are poor in their claim on justice.
Reference:
Marie Dennis, Cynthia Moe-Lobeda, Joseph Nangle, and Stuart Taylor, St. Francis and the Foolishness of God, rev. ed. (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1993, 2015), 5–6, 6–7. (Rohr, 2023)
We respond to the revelation of the Love of God in our lives by seeking the guidance of the Spirit as we live as fishers of people.
References
Colossians, CHAPTER 1. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 7, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/colossians/1?
Luke, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 7, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/5?
Meditation on Luke 5:1-11. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved September 7, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/09/07/777057/
Psalms, PSALM 98. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 7, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/98?
Rohr, R. (2023, September 6). The Call to Change Sides — Center for Action and Contemplation. https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-call-to-change-sides-2023-09-06/. Retrieved September 7, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-call-to-change-sides-2023-09-06/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). You Will Catch People for the Kingdom of God. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 7, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=sep7
Sullivan, E. B. (2023, September 7). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved September 7, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/090723.html
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