Readings: Colossians 1:9-14, Ps. 98:2-6, Luke 5:1-11
“Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word, I will let down the nets.” (Luke 5:5)
Jesus said to Peter, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” Peter protested: “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing!” Like Peter, we always have our excuses for not obeying God. Sometimes, we think it makes more sense to ignore the word of God.
Today, our society suffers the consequences of our collective disobedience to God. We have turned towards the worship of money and sacrificed our sense of morality. Truth has vanished from our lips, from the topmost citizen to the least. We claim to be Christians, but think ignoring God is okay.
A man broke into the only bank in a particular city, carting away all its money. He was caught by the ordinary citizens and arrested, but his friends (the elite and well-to-do) rushed to free him. When the citizens charged him in court, the judges ruled in his favour, concluding that the citizens failed to provide evidence to prove that the thief stole a dime. A society where there is no rule of law (where the law only applies to the poor) is doomed to fail.
In the same way, anyone who has no respect for God’s laws can never succeed. How can one enjoy a product while contravening the manufacturer’s instructions? In today’s First Reading, St. Paul says to the Colossians, “Lead a life worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” We cannot continue in sin and expect miracles.
When Peter saw the great catch, he knew only God could do this. His eyes were open. He fell at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” An encounter with God helps us to come to terms with our nothingness. Disobedience to God is a function of our spiritual blindness. If you know God, you would be too afraid to disobey Him.
Jesus told Peter, “Do not be afraid; henceforth, you will catch men.” If we are privileged to have such an encounter with God, we are not meant to keep it to ourselves. The natural consequence of knowing God is telling others about Him. If we have nothing to say about God, it means we do not know Him.
After the great fish catch, Peter and his team left everything to follow Jesus. They did not collect the fish, but followed Him who caused the great catch. They left the gift and went after the giver. Many of us do the opposite; when God blesses us, we stop praying; we start worshipping our blessings.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, deepen our trust in you. Free us from the spirit of constant complaints. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Thursday of week 22 in Ordinary Time. Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: Colossians 1:9-14, Ps. 98:2-6, Luke 5:1-11)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu