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Gospel Reading for September 05, 2024 – Luke 5: 1-11
A MIRACLE TO HAPPEN
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.
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After working hard all night without catching any fish, Peter could have thought it was absurd that Jesus was asking him to lower their nets for a catch. Good for him, he believed in Jesus and just obeyed as instructed, and wow! the catch was too much, putting the boat in danger of sinking. What, if Peter just insisted there was nothing to catch? There would really be nothing. But, he believed in Jesus, hence, the big catch.
Being SKEPTICAL is an OBSTRUCTION to the practice of our Faith. If we always just insist on what we think, on what we know, instead of listen to God through His Word, chances are, we will not get what we want. Take for example, a child who always had issues with his/her parents, and vice-versa. Each of them may think it is impossible to mend fences. But if even only one of them would start to listen to the Word of God and act upon it by initiating reconciliation, it will be a great step towards peace in the family. The Holy Spirit will always make it possible for A MIRACLE TO HAPPEN. That is, if we truly believe in the power of the Spirit of God!
“You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.” (Psalm 77: 14-15)
