A Catch of Abundant Love

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, Memorial of Saint Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church, proclaim our mission to serve as fishers in Jesus' great harvest of love.

Fishers of Love

The Reading from the First Letter to the Corinthians proclaims The Role of God’s Ministers.

* [3:21–23] These verses pick up the line of thought of 1 Cor 1:10–13. If the Corinthians were genuinely wise (1 Cor 3:18–20), their perceptions would be reversed, and they would see everything in the world and all those with whom they exist in the church in their true relations with one another. Paul assigns all the persons involved in the theological universe a position on a scale: God, Christ, church members, church leaders. Read from top to bottom, the scale expresses ownership; read from bottom to top, the obligation to serve. This picture should be complemented by similar statements such as those in 1 Cor 8:6 and 1 Cor 15:20–28. (1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 24 affirms people's fidelity before being admitted into the sanctuary.

* [Psalm 24] The Psalm apparently accompanied a ceremony of the entry of God (invisibly enthroned upon the ark), followed by the people, into the Temple. The Temple commemorated the creation of the world (Ps 24:1–2). The people had to affirm their fidelity before being admitted into the sanctuary (Ps 24:3–6; cf. Ps 15). A choir identifies the approaching God and invites the very Temple gates to bow down in obeisance (Ps 24:7–10). (Psalms, PSALM 24 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke presents the Call of Simon the Fisherman.

* [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.)

In today’s scripture, Cindy Costanzo can feel the apostle’s weariness, hopelessness, and concern. Yet Simon Peter can do as Jesus commands based on true trust, the decision to be obedient even when there was doubt; or when logic told him “No way” - but Simon Peter throws in the net one more time. 

Jesus asks us to trust him. How do we build that trust muscle? I know keeping Jesus close to me is key in strengthening trust. What works for me may not work for others. But here it goes. Daily quiet time with Jesus even if for a few minutes asking the Holy Spirit to impact my day; attending services and listening to an expert interpret the scriptures, joining bible studies, listening to music that praises the Holy Spirit; identifying gratitude’s - what are 5 things I am grateful for today? Completing the Examen, it does not happen every day but it’s an important tool for me. Service - what one thing can I do to be of service today for someone? These activities allow me to embrace Jesus and his teachings and build my ability to keep Jesus close to me and build that trust muscle.  Trust was a necessary trait 2000 years ago as it is today. Come Holy Spirit! (Costanzo, n.d.)

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.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the readings for today. Paul speaks to the Corinthians not about worldly wisdom but about Divine Revelation because their revelation is based on ego and pride. Paul, Apollos, and Cephas are not important. Does Christ come through in our speech? In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus asks the fishers to drop their nets in deep water even when those nets would only catch surface fish who normally retreat to colder deeper water as the Sea of Galilee warms in the sun. The catch is so abundant that Peter, in recognition of the Divine Intervention and the implication to his life, declares “Depart from me a sinful man”. Friar Jude notes a kind of recognition of the transformation of our gifts for building the Kingdom as Peter and the fishers are called to do.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 5:1-11 comments Jesus invites all of us into “deep water”? Through prayer, he calls us into a personal relationship with him. Yet perhaps we sometimes feel a bit like Peter when he told the Lord, “We have worked hard all night and have caught nothing” (Luke 5:5). Maybe we try to talk to God but don’t feel his presence or sense him speaking to us. Or we continue to ask him to heal a difficult relationship or a loved one, but nothing happens. It’s tempting in such situations to skip our times of prayer or stop praying altogether. It’s hard to keep lowering our nets, only to come up empty once again!

Every day, find a time to “put out into deep water” by raising your heart and mind to your Lord. Even if you don’t harvest a “great number of fish” each time you pray (Luke 5:6), trust that he is pleased with your desire to know him more deeply and to follow him more closely.

“Lord, help me to go deeper with you.” (Meditation on Luke 5:1-11, n.d.)

Father Richard Rohr considers the cross as the center of Jesus’s life—fully human, fully divine—and expressing total solidarity with the pain of the world. 

Jesus the Christ, in his crucifixion and resurrection, “recapitulated all things in himself, everything in heaven and everything on earth” (Ephesians 1:10). This one verse is the summary of Franciscan Christology. Jesus agreed to carry the mystery of universal suffering. He allowed it to change him (resurrection) and—it is to be hoped—us, too. Christ frees us from the endless cycle of projecting our pain elsewhere or remaining trapped inside of it…

The gospel is simply the wisdom of those who agree to carry their part of the infinite suffering of God. It must be recognized that many non-Christians fully accept this vocation with greater freedom than many Christians. (Rohr, n.d.)

We implore the Spirit to reinforce the strength of our Baptismal anointing as priest, prophet, and leader as we go out to challenge the deep waters to let down our nets with compassion and care and bring home to God a catch that overpowers doubt with nets of abundant love.

References

Costanzo, C. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton On Line Ministries. Retrieved September 3, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-september-3-2026 

Luke, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 3, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/5? 

Meditation on Luke 5:1-11. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved September 3, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/09/03/1661829/ 

1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 3, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/3? 

Psalms, PSALM 24 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved September 3, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/24?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Full of Suffering, Full of Love. CAC Daily Meditation. Retrieved September 3, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/full-of-suffering-full-of-love/ 

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 3, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Present in Community

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, reminds us of the ancient practice of presenting children to be in service of the Lord as a public declaration of “Good News” for the community. 

Anointed into Community

The Reading from the Prophet Malachi proclaims The Messenger of the Covenant.

* [3:1] My messenger…before me: Mt 11:10 applies these words to John the Baptist; Mt 11:14 further identifies John as Elijah (see Mal 3:23). Some take God’s messenger in v. 1a to be a person distinct from “the lord” and “the messenger of the covenant” in v. 1b; others hold that they are one and the same person. Some consider “the lord” and “the messenger of the covenant” to be divine, while others hold that in the text’s literal sense he is a messianic earthly ruler. (Malachi, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 24 celebrates the entry of God followed by the people into the Temple.

* [Psalm 24] The Psalm apparently accompanied a ceremony of the entry of God (invisibly enthroned upon the ark), followed by the people, into the Temple. The Temple commemorated the creation of the world (Ps 24:1–2). The people had to affirm their fidelity before being admitted into the sanctuary (Ps 24:3–6; cf. Ps 15). A choir identifies the approaching God and invites the very Temple gates to bow down in obeisance (Ps 24:7–10). (Psalms, PSALM 24 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Reading from the Letter to Hebrews proclaims Exaltation through Abasement.

* [2:5–18] The humanity and the suffering of Jesus do not constitute a valid reason for relinquishing the Christian faith. Ps 8:5–6 is also applied to Jesus in 1 Cor 15:27; Eph 1:22; and probably 1 Pt 3:22. This christological interpretation, therefore, probably reflects a common early Christian tradition, which may have originated in the expression the son of man (Heb 2:6). The psalm contrasts God’s greatness with man’s relative insignificance but also stresses the superiority of man to the rest of creation, of which he is lord. Hebrews applies this christologically: Jesus lived a truly human existence, lower than the angels, in the days of his earthly life, particularly in his suffering and death; now, crowned with glory and honor, he is raised above all creation. The author considers all things as already subject to him because of his exaltation (Heb 2:8–9), though we do not see this yet. The reference to Jesus as leader (Heb 2:10) sounds the first note of an important leitmotif in Hebrews: the journey of the people of God to the sabbath rest (Heb 4:9), the heavenly sanctuary, following Jesus, their “forerunner” (Heb 6:20). It was fitting that God should make him perfect through suffering, consecrated by obedient suffering. Because he is perfected as high priest, Jesus is then able to consecrate his people (Heb 2:11); access to God is made possible by each of these two consecrations. If Jesus is able to help human beings, it is because he has become one of us; we are his “brothers.” The author then cites three Old Testament texts as proofs of this unity between ourselves and the Son. Ps 22:22 is interpreted so as to make Jesus the singer of this lament, which ends with joyful praise of the Lord in the assembly of “brothers.” The other two texts are from Is 8:17, 18. The first of these seems intended to display in Jesus an example of the trust in God that his followers should emulate. The second curiously calls these followers “children”; probably this is to be understood to mean children of Adam, but the point is our solidarity with Jesus. By sharing human nature, including the ban of death, Jesus broke the power of the devil over death (Heb 2:4); the author shares the view of Hellenistic Judaism that death was not intended by God and that it had been introduced into the world by the devil. The fear of death (Heb 2:15) is a religious fear based on the false conception that death marks the end of a person’s relations with God (cf. Ps 115:17–18; Is 38:18). Jesus deliberately allied himself with the descendants of Abraham (Heb 2:16) in order to be a merciful and faithful high priest. This is the first appearance of the central theme of Hebrews, Jesus the great high priest expiating the sins of the people (Heb 2:17), as one who experienced the same tests as they (Heb 2:18). (Hebrews, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke proclaims the Presentation in the Temple.

* [2:22] Their purification: syntactically, their must refer to Mary and Joseph, even though the Mosaic law never mentions the purification of the husband. Recognizing the problem, some Western scribes have altered the text to read “his purification,” understanding the presentation of Jesus in the temple as a form of purification; the Vulgate version has a Latin form that could be either “his” or “her.” According to the Mosaic law (Lv 12:2–8), the woman who gives birth to a boy is unable for forty days to touch anything sacred or to enter the temple area by reason of her legal impurity. At the end of this period she is required to offer a year-old lamb as a burnt offering and a turtledove or young pigeon as an expiation of sin. The woman who could not afford a lamb offered instead two turtledoves or two young pigeons, as Mary does here. They took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord: as the firstborn son (Lk 2:7) Jesus was consecrated to the Lord as the law required (Ex 13:2, 12), but there was no requirement that this be done at the temple. The concept of a presentation at the temple is probably derived from 1 Sm 1:24–28, where Hannah offers the child Samuel for sanctuary services. The law further stipulated (Nm 3:47–48) that the firstborn son should be redeemed by the parents through their payment of five shekels to a member of a priestly family. About this legal requirement Luke is silent. (Luke, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

Joan Blandin Howard comments that today, Luke tells us of a different presentation and reception - yet equally joyful in a milder manner. An elderly man, “Simeon… righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him…”.  The Spirit revealed, and Simeon recognized the infant as “Christ of the Lord”.  As did the priest in the church, Simeon “…took (received) him (Jesus) into his arms and blessed God… (saying)  Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace….”  Rejoicing in the presence of God, Simeon was ready to die.  God had fulfilled Simeon’s greatest desire - to see the Lord.

Ostensibly, this reading from Luke is about the infant Jesus being dedicated to God in the temple.  Praying with this passage, possibly it is also about recognizing and receiving the presence of “Christ of the Lord” as did Simeon and Anna. I invite us to pray with this scripture and meditate on what it means to recognize and receive Jesus.  When, where, and who has entered my life, revealing the presence of Jesus, of God? In the temple, Jesus was presented to all of us.  How do I rejoice in that? How does my life reflect the joy of Jesus’ presence? (Blandin Howard, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Christ who was rich became poor,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).

"For this reason it seems wonderful that the sacrifice of Mary was not the first offering, that is, 'a lamb a year old,' but the second, since 'she could not afford' (Leviticus 5:7) the first. For as it was written about her, Jesus' parents came 'to offer a sacrifice' for him,'according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."' But this also shows the truth of what was written, that Jesus Christ 'although he was rich, became a poor man' (2 Corinthians 8:9). Therefore, for this reason, he chose both a poor mother, from whom he was born, and a poor homeland, about which it is said, 'But you, O Bethlehem Ephratha, who are little to be among the clans of Judah' (Micah 5:2), and the rest. (excerpt from HOMILIES ON LEVITICUS 8.4.3) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 2:22-40 comments that outwardly, it’s easy to miss the spiritual reality of what is happening when we celebrate a sacrament. But we know, for instance, that in the waters of Baptism, sin is washed away and we are adopted into God’s family! We know that in Reconciliation, we are restored “to God’s grace” and joined “with him in an intimate friendship” (1468). And we believe that the Eucharist, “the source and summit of the Christian life,” unites us to Christ and enables us to “anticipate” heaven (1324, 1326).

Just as Mary and Joseph were blessed to witness God’s plan unfold through their simple act of obedience, ask the Lord to help you see how he is at work in your life through the sacraments. The next time you receive the Eucharist, thank him for his presence in what seem like ordinary bread and wine, and for uniting himself to you in such a personal way. As you prepare for Confession, keep in mind the joy you will experience of being reconciled to the Lord. And praise God for all the ways heaven touches earth every single day!

“Lord, open my eyes with wonder to see all that you are doing in my life today.” (Meditation on Luke 2:22-40, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the passage from Malachi speaks about a messenger preparing the way in the Temple. Simeon and Anna recognize the messenger as Jesus. The Letter to the Hebrews proclaims Jesus came to save those who needed Him as a high priest, who is “made perfect” in being ordained as our high priest to show us the Way out of our mess. Luke, a Gentile, does not fully understand Jewish ritual. The Holy Family brings a sacrifice to celebrate the redemption of the first born. Mary is presented in an image that Mary’s thoughts would be pierced by the Word of God. She would be called to believe the impossible, “her son as the Son of God”, and Luke recognizes her as the perfect disciple. Jesus goes to Nazareth to grow and increase in wisdom in recognition of His emptying of His Divine Prerogatives.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Theologian Cindy Lee who explains how Moses and the Israelites practiced Sabbath as a liberating rhythm of life. Sabbath breaks the nonstop, violent cycle of production and consumption. It breaks our greed by forcing us to stop continually trying to do more and gain more. The Sabbath system is a just and equal system because all—animals, land, landowners, servants, and foreigners—enjoy the same rest. None of us has ever truly experienced a Sabbath, however, because we still live in a world where foreigners, servants, land, and animals do not get sufficient rest. Imagine a world where we all had equal rest.

The healing power of the Sabbath comes when we embrace it as a collective practice

The Western church has taught Sabbath keeping as an individual practice of taking a day off and missed the understanding of Sabbath as a collective posture that orients us toward a just society where all can find rest. Therefore, even as our individual rest is important, we also need to help others in our communities to rest. Keeping the Sabbath rhythm requires everyone in the community, including those with privilege and power, to participate so that all can rest. The practice of communal rest is meant to train us into a way of living as a society. As someone who is privileged to take days off and go on retreats, I need to look at my community. These are questions I’ve found helpful to ask myself: Who can I free to rest? Who is exhausted? Who is not getting enough rest? And what little part can I do to help lessen their load so they can rest too? (Rohr, n.d.)

We invite the Spirit to reveal the deeper meaning in our liturgical practices that call us to use our personal experience of Divine Presence as the initiation of our action to make Jesus present in our communities as we live His Way.

References

Blandin Howard, J. (n.d.). Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Creighton On Line Ministries. Retrieved February 2, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-february-2-2026 

Hebrews, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 2, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/2?14 

Luke, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 2, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/2?22 

Malachi, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 2, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/malachi/3?1 

Meditation on Luke 2:22-40. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved February 2, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/02/02/1492402/ 

Psalms, PSALM 24 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 2, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/24?7 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved February 2, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/justice-requires-rest-for-all/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Favor of God Was upon Him. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 2, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/