Jesus awes Simon-Peter with a miraculous catch of fish. Every Catholic man can grow in happiness by building the Virtue of Magnificence so he can take up the magnificent work of Jesus Christ and by goin in the Virtue of Diligence so he can grow and use his talents to build Christ’s Holy Catholic Church.
Liturgy
5th Week in Ordinary time – Sunday – Cycle C – Lk 5:1-11; 22nd Week in Ordinary time – Thursday – Lk 5:1-11
Commentary
After preaching in Judea, Jesus returns to Capernuam, and a large crowd presses upon Him by the lake of Gennesaret (a large freshwater lake; also called the Sea of Galilee). Simon, despite previously witnessing Jesus’ many miracles at his house, continues to ply his trade as a fisherman, not yet a disciple. Jesus, knowing He will eventually choose Simon to lead His Catholic Church, climbs into Simon’s boat and directs Simon to go a short distance from shore so that Jesus can more effectively be heard by the crowd. Taking the seated posture of a rabbi, Jesus teaches the crowd as Simon and other men, including the future Apostles James and John, stand in the the boat and listen.
When He finishes teaching, Jesus moves forward with His plan to call Simon to discipleship by directing Simon to go out into the deep to fish. Simon, a seasoned fisherman, politely calls Jesus, “Master”, gently resists, explaining that they fished all night with no luck; from many years of experience, Simon knows that the fish are not running, and attempting to fish during the heat of the day will be fruitless. Nevertheless, Simon obediently agrees and casts his nets.
The catch astonishes (literally, “thunderstruck”) the seasoned fishermen, threatening to burst the nets and requiring an additional boat to take in all the fish; both boats are filled to the point of swamping. Peter, now convicted beyond doubt about Jesus’ miraculous divinity and calling Him, “Lord”, falls at Jesus’ knees, with humility and fear, admitting his sinfulness and unworthiness. Jesus calms Peter down, telling him not to fear, and that he will become an evangelist (a fisher of men) for Him. Despite the massive catch and economic windfall, Peter, James, and John leave everything (fish, boats, nets, families, homes, livelihoods) and follow Jesus into the unknown, and ultimately into martyrdom for the Kingdom.
Be awed by Jesus Christ
Marvel at how Jesus, Divine King and greatest Leader, with mysterious Divine Knowledge, recruits men who appear to be unexceptional (lowly fisherman), who are immediately compelled by the powerful Charisma of Jesus to leave everything (families, homes, work), and who will go on to carry out exceptional heroic acts of evangelization and martyrdom, which fundamentally change world history as they build Christ’s Holy Catholic Church.
Take up the magnificent work of Jesus
Realize: Some Catholic men do not yet realize they are called, just like Jesus called the Apostles, to evangelize, to be “fishers of men” who bring many to Jesus Christ and His Holy Catholic Church; every Catholic man will be held to account by Jesus for his effectiveness in bringing others to Him.
Believe: Reflect upon your personal Prophetic Office (CCC 904-907, 1302-1305, 1316-1317).
Pray: Almighty Father, help me grow in the Virtue of Magnificence (a part of Fortitude) so I always take on the great mission to be a heroic prophet who Your Son uses to build His Kingdom of Heaven.
Grow and use your talents to build the Church
Realize: As Jesus used Peter’s natural talents as a fisherman to become a “fisher of men”, every Catholic man has been uniquely endowed by Jesus with special talents which are needed to build the Kingdom.
Believe: Reflect upon Talents (CCC 546, 1879-1880, 1936-1937, 2427, 2501).
Pray: Jesus, Granter of Talents, help me grow in the Virtue of Diligence (a part of Temperance) so that I earnestly seek to discover and build the unique and powerful talents You have given me and am continually guided by You to use my talents in an orderly way to build Your Holy Catholic Church.