Homily (Reflection) for the Fifth Sunday of
the Year (C) (7th February, 2016) on the Gospel
Is 6:1-8;
Ps 137:1-5.7-8. (R.v.1);1Cor 15:1-11 or 1Cor 15:3-8.11;
Lk 5:1-11.
A middle-aged woman after bathing
her son, junior, was still keeping the bathroom in order when he left for his
room. She later went into his room to dress him but the little boy was already on
it. And immediately he saw his mother he asked her if she had forgotten that it
was not right to enter someone’s room while the person is dressing. Although
she was shocked yet without argument or insistence she apologised and left the
room. Not quite long junior cried for help. The woman ran into his room and saw
him on the floor with his two legs in one part of the trouser. She quickly helped
him and was still trying to help him finish the rest when the boy again asked her
the same question he asked before.
Topic: Allow Jesus to step in.
Summary of today’s gospel: Jesus taught the crowd while sitting in
a boat because they were pressing in on Him to hear the word of God. After
teaching He said to Peter the owner of the boat, “Put out into the deep water
and let down your nets for a catch”. Peter replied, “Master, we have worked all
night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the
nets.” Their simple obedience led to the catching of many fish that their nets
were beginning to break. When Peter saw this, he fell down at Jesus’ feet and
pleaded, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” Jesus said to him, “Do
not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” And they left
everything and followed Him.
Reflection: Peter
by profession was a fisherman before he was called, cf. Matt 4:18; Mk 1:16. On the other hand Jesus took after Joseph the
carpenter, cf. Mk 6:3. And in
today’s gospel Peter with all his expertise could not catch even as little as a
fish after all night fishing. Just imagine his state of mind.
It was at this point that Jesus came and entered Peter’s
boat and asked him to push it out from the shore. We must remember that the
boat in question was Peter’s source of livelihood. Yet in obedience he did as
requested. And again after His teaching Jesus the carpenter who most probably
could not move a boat asked Peter after all night long fishing without success to
put out into the deep water and let down his nets for a catch.
Although Peter did not hide their ordeal yet without any form
of resistance he did as instructed as expressed in these words, “Master, we
have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will
let down the nets” (Lk 5:5). The
quantity of fish they caught helped Peter to see how helpless one is without
Jesus. His reaction can be likened to that of Isaiah who exclaimed, “Woe is me!
For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a
people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” (Is 6:5). Peter pleaded with Jesus to
leave. Jesus calmed them down and ultimately transformed them into fishers of
men, cf. Matt 4:19; Mk 1:17.
God desires our complete obedience in every situation more
than any other thing, cf. 1Sam 15:22.
He has promised to bless and to multiply all those who will obey, cf. Deut 30:16; Zech 6:15. Whereas
disobedience to Him only brings the wrath of God, cf. 1Sam 15:26; 28:18; Jn 3:36.
The little boy who thought he could do it without his mother
ran into difficulties. And whenever he allowed his mother to come in things go
as they should. Similarly, Peter and his colleagues who also thought they had
all it takes to be fishermen could not get as little as a fish until Jesus
stepped in. In the same vein, whoever wants the best of every situation must be
wise enough to welcome Jesus. Nobody can truly succeed without Jesus. He is the
Master of every situation, Prov 3:5; Is
26:4. And whoever allows Him to come in will surly see the best in all he
or she does, cf. Ps 125:1.
Bible Reading: Is 6:1-13; Ps 121:1-8; 125:1-5; Jn 15:1-16.
Thought for today:
Jesus is my Master. What about you?
Let us pray: Lord, help us to obey you always
especially in the areas we think we are good in – Amen.
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