The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate the role of our piety, study, and action in responding to Jesus' invitation to become fishers for faith, love, and truth.
The Reading from the Letter to the Colossians is a Prayer for Continued Progress.
* [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 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 98 extolls God for Israel’s victory.
* [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 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Luke proclaims 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.)
Steve Scholer asserts that If we want to take up the challenge Jesus gave to Simon, the best place to start might be to deepen our own prayer life; seek the help of the Holy Spirit to feel comfortable sharing the good news; and pray that those with whom we interact will find a place in their hearts for God.
With the Holy Spirit at our side, some of us might share the good news when we encourage others to attend services, invite friends to participate in a Bible study group, or simply share stories of our faith.
Maybe just as important as overt actions intended to encourage others to know the Good News, is the need to focus on living our lives in a way that reflects God’s constant love for us. To demonstrate our faith through our deeds means actively serving others, forgiving those who have wronged us, and being a friend who will encourage and support others when in need.
By living our faith, we, too, can show others the endless joy we share because God is first and foremost in our lives. (Scholer, 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.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Colossians 1:9-14 comments that growth happens in such tiny steps that it can be hard to see. So what does this type of growth look like? It still comes from the Holy Spirit’s work in us, and as we pay attention, we will start to see it.
With practice, you will become better at noticing the ways the Spirit is moving in your life. When you see God at work, whether in big or small ways, your hope grows, and so does your faith. So rejoice that God is so committed to you!
And while you’re at it, imitate St. Paul by pointing out how the Spirit is working in your friends or family. You just might help open their eyes to the Spirit’s ways!
“Holy Spirit, thank you for all the ways you have helped me grow closer to you!” (Meditation on Colossians 1:9-14, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that Paul continued with thanksgiving and prayer for people and that their faith be expressed in everyday action. He realizes some will be martyred and the author recognizes that suffering for the Gospel brings joy. Driven by the Spirit and in trust and faith in the message of God, Jesus at the Lake sees fishers washing nets in the morning. Jesus speaks to the crowd from the boat in a natural amphitheater. Simon responds about the chance to catch people. “Depart from me a sinful man” is a typical response to the holy with awe, wonder and fear, as Jesus uses their natural talent to be transformed to “fishers of men”. Friar Jude reminds us that our gifts are for the building up of the Kingdom.
Fr. Richard Rohr shares the encouragement Brother Lawrence offers to a lay woman.
God does not ask much of us, merely a brief thought of them from time to time, a little love, sometimes asking for grace, sometimes offering them your sufferings, other times thanking them for the blessings they have given, and are giving you. In the middle of your tasks you can comfort yourself with Love as often as you can, in all these ways. During your meals and conversations, lift up your heart to God sometimes. The slightest little awareness will always be very pleasant. We don’t need to shout out to do this. God is closer to us than we may think….
Remember, I beg you, what I recommended. Think of God often, night and day, in all your activities, even when you relax. God is always near you and with you. Don’t leave them alone. You would think it rude to leave a friend alone who came to visit you. Then why abandon God and leave them alone? Don’t forget Love. Think of God often, and love them without stopping. (Rohr, n.d.)
We seek the assistance of the Holy Spirit as we contemplate the action based on our situation and skills that the Lord wishes to be the seed of our transformation to be “fishers of people”.
References
Colossians, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 4, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/colossians/1?9
Luke, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 4, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/5?1
Meditation on Colossians 1:9-14. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved September 4, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/09/04/1373502/
Psalms, PSALM 98 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 4, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/98?2
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 4, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/love-knows-what-we-can-do/
Scholer, S. (n.d.). Daily Reflections. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved September 4, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-september-4-2025
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 4, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=sep4
