Gospel reading: Luke 5:1-11
Jesus was standing one day by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the crowd pressing round him listening to the word of God, when he caught sight of two boats close to the bank. The fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats – it was Simon’s -and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and pay out your nets for a catch.” Master,” Simon replied “we worked hard all night long and caught nothing, but if you say so, I will pay out the nets.” And when they had done this they netted such a huge number of fish that their nets began to tear, so they signaled to their companions in the other boat to come and help them; when they came, they filled the two boats to sinking point. When Simon Peter saw this he fell at the knees of Jesus saying, “Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man.” For he and all his companions were completely overcome by the catch they had made; so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were Simon’s partners. But Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on it is men you will catch.” Then, bringing their boats back to land, they left everything and followed him.
Homily
Life can become and does become for all of us from time to time very routine. We have the impression that we are not going anywhere that we are stagnating, as spouses, as parents, as friends, in the workplace even in church. “We toil all night and catch nothing” This is in fact the experience of Peter. [We must remember that this is before he commits himself to Jesus].
Peter has toiled all night and caught nothing. Jesus asks him to put out into the deep and run the risk of anther failure.
At times that same message comes to us “Put out into the deep” and risk failure again or worse. The message may come to us through an experience of failure or rejection; it may come to us through the recognition that we are addicted to drugs or power or alcohol or sex. It may come to us through the invitation of a person, an advertisement etc. “Put out into deep water and pay out your nets for a catch.”
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The problem now becomes how to cope “for we net so much that the nets are breaking”. We have to call others, to get them involved also. “From now on we catch men” i.e. we become more interested in people than in things, and together with them we start building a better world or in religious language “the kingdom of God”.
I suppose this story is in essence a symbol of deep conversion moments in our lives, moments which set our lives on new and more fulfilling courses. This is the story of the great movements of our church and indeed of the world. Where would the world be in Ghandi did not put out into the deep? Where would the USA be if Martin Luther King did not put out into the deep? What would South Africa be if Nelson Mandela did not put out into the deep? How many more would have died alone and abandoned were it not for Teresa of Calcutta? How many would not be educated but for the founders of religious Congregations dedicated to education?
Let us remember those heroes of the faith and thank God for them. Let us also remember the people who challenged us “to put out into the deep”.
If we are afraid to put out into the deep, let us ask God for the courage to overcome the objections and to put out into the deep. A wonderful catch awaits us where once only fear and apprehension ruled.
Prayer
Father putting out into the deep is always a moment of great apprehension. We do not know what surprises the deep waters hold for us. Will these surprises be giant octopuses trying to strangle us in their tentacles or other denizens of the deep? Will these surprises be more pleasant? Whatever they may, be putting out into the deep is always a moment of deep apprehension. We know our weaknesses, we are afraid of failing; in spite of wanting to, our trust in you is weak! Help us Lord, not to be afraid; help us to believe in your promises, that you will never abandon us and never let us be tested beyond our strength. Help us to see the great catch which awaits us if we dare to trust and put out into the deep. We ask this through the intercession of Mary, our Mother and Jesus, your Son. Amen
