PUT OUT INTO THE DEEP WATER! ~ EuropaFb

“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”

Daily Reflections

Thursday, 7^th September 2017.

Twenty Second Week in Ordinary Time

Col 1: 9-14;

Ps 98: 2-6;

Lk 5: 1-11

PUT OUT INTO THE DEEP WATER!

We have been listening to the power and authority of Jesus’ Word all through this week. Today we see Peter and his colleagues have been unlucky at fishing. Jesus bids Peter to take charge once again of his boat, to move it into the deep and to throw in the nets for a catch. Peter replies, “We have toiled all night and caught nothing, but at Your word, we’ll try again.” The huge amount of fish that they caught, overwhelmed them with surprise. It struck Peter, he experienced the mighty presence of God. Thrown to his knees by a realization and a deep sense of his own deep unworthiness, “Depart from me,” he exclaims, “for I am a sinful man.” The memory of that experience never failed to arouse in Peter’s mind, a deep gratitude and awe towards Jesus. Peter was about to do something still greater for Jesus. “Do not be afraid. Henceforth, you will be catching men.” Jesus, today is also calling you to cast the net and become a fisher of men.

This passage is not only about the physical miracle of catching fish; rather, it’s much more about the mission of evangelizing souls and accomplishing the mission of God. And the symbolism of putting out into the deep water tells us that we must be all in and fully committed if we are to evangelize and spread the Word of God as we are called to do.When we listen to God and act on His word, committing ourselves to His will in a radical and deep way, He will produce an abundant catch of souls. This “catch” will come in an unexpected way at an unexpected time and will clearly be the work of God.

Reflect, today, upon your willingness to act upon the voice of the Savior. Are you willing to say “Yes” to Him in all things? Are you willing to radically follow the direction He gives? If so, you also will be amazed at what He does in your life.If we fail to listen to the voice of God in our lives, and fail to heed His radical commands, we will not be used in the way He desires to use us.

Prayer: Lord, I desire to put out into the deep water and to radically evangelize in the way to which You call me. Help me to say “Yes” to you in all things. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.