"Let's Go Fishing with Jesus and the Boys!" 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

The Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

February 7, 2016

“Let’s Go Fishing with Jesus and the Boys!”

Today we hear a fish story, but this one is a keeper.  Luke tells the story of the Miraculous Catch of Fish as well as the invitation to Peter, James and John as they change what they are fishing for.  Now this is one fish story even I cannot top.  As they pull in the record catch that almost sinks the boat, Jesus calls them to follow Him.  “Do not be afraid; from now on, you will be catching men.”   We too have been called to be disciples.  How are we answering this Baptismal Call to each of us?

-       Deacon Jim

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Gospel Lk 5:1-11

While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening
to the word of God,
he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret.
He saw two boats there alongside the lake;
the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets.
Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon,
he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore.
Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon,
“Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”
Simon said in reply,
“Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing,
but at your command I will lower the nets.”
When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish
and their nets were tearing.
They signaled to their partners in the other boat
to come to help them.
They came and filled both boats
so that the boats were in danger of sinking.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said,
“Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”
For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him
and all those with him,
and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee,
who were partners of Simon.
Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid;
from now on you will be catching men.”
When they brought their boats to the shore,
they left everything and followed him.