There are some interesting details in today’s Gospel about the miraculous catch of fish. Jesus got into Simon’s (Peter’s) boat because the crowd was pressing in on him so much that he could not make himself heard. He had Peter take the boat “a short distance from the shore” so he could continue teaching. Another detail we learn is that Peter is a businessman fisherman. He had partners. When at Jesus’ command, “they caught a great number of fish … They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them.” Peter and “all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon” were all astonished at the catch. Jesus uses that moving moment to give Simon his call: “…from now on you will be catching men.”
Peter’s call was not to be a priest or bishop. It was to be a disciple. Discipleship is the foundational call we all have. It comes with a mission: to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. It comes with a power, that of “efficient grace,” the divine assistance we need to accept our discipleship calls and live them. How do we proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ? There are many traditional and formal ways to do this, such as preaching or teaching. But there are subtle ways, too. When I do long-distance driving, it amazes me to see all the religious icons or messages on cars and semis, on billboards and barn sides. Gospel music stations abound. There is a clerk in a local dollar store who always says “God Bless You” as she gives you your receipt. Often you notice musicians in a performance or workers wearing a simple cross and chain. On Ash Wednesday, you’ll see crosses on foreheads of some news anchors. Then there are the multitudes of small volunteer outreach efforts going on in every city to help those in need. People in their workplaces witness to the good news when they act “against the crowd” and for the Lord in some way. Disciple-parents instill ethical compasses in their children, and godparents and grandparents have simple but profound conversations with their young charges. Every day, thousands of folks forward faith-based inspirational messages along through Facebook. Why all these examples? They are all nonordained people spreading the good news in simple ways. What is your simple way of spreading the good news?
— Blog entry by Sister Mary Garascia; artwork courtesy of Distant Shores Media/Sweet Publishing
The post February 9, 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Discipleship: A Sunday Scriptures blog first appeared on Sisters of the Precious Blood.