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Today's readings invite us to
reflect on the nature of our call. Simon was a fisherman in
partnership with James and John, Zebedee's sons. They had just finished
up for the day and were washing out their nets when the young rabbi from
Nazareth got into one of the boats. The Lord asked Simon to pull out a
bit from the shore so that he could teach the crowd. Simon must have
been tired but he gave him the benefit of the doubt Taking Jesus out
from the shore to teach, he continued to clean the nets. Simon wasn't
all that interested in religion.
Jesus had no money to repay
Simon for the use of his boat. Instead, he instructed Simon to put out
into deep water for a catch. Simon was a patient man, but he was getting
more than a little tired. The rabbi might know how to preach but he
didn't know much about fishing. It was the wrong time of day, probably
the wrong part of the lake to set the nets for a catch. Just to humor
him Simon said, "If you say so Master, I will lower the nets."
Like most of us, Simon had a
lot to learn about God's generosity. That day his whole life changed. He
caught so many fish that the boat nearly sank and the Zebedee boys had
to come out and help with the catch. It was a miracle, pure and simple.
Simon knew it. The Zebedees knew it. Jesus knew it. Isn't it amazing
that the day of Simon's greatest catch was the day he left fishing in
order to become a fisher of men?
When Simon first recognized
the miracle, he was seized with fear. That is often the first reaction
of someone who has been called by the Lord. You wonder, "Did I just
imagine this? It can't really be God? What does God want with me, I'm a
sinner?" The first part of every call is the recognition that we are
sinners. The second part is the acceptance of God's forgiveness. Even
though we are sinners, God loves us anyway.
Paul recognized this when he
turned from persecutor to preacher of the faith. Being called by
God changes everything! We no longer experience life alone. We belong to
the Lord. To accept the call to follow Jesus means that we see the whole
world in an entirely new way. Perhaps for the first time we recognize
that everything — our life, our world, and all the people in it — are a
gift from God. What return can we make to the Lord for all that he has
done for us?
Even though our parish and
school are experiencing our own financial pinch, we must never lose
sight of the bigger picture. This week, we are invited to reflect on
everything that God has given us and consider making a sacrificial gift
back to Him through the Annual Catholic Appeal. This collection promotes
the works of the gospel throughout the Archdiocese, which includes all
of Cook and Lake counties. As we sow, so shall we reap. God bless
you for your courageous generosity! |
