Thursday, September 1, 2016



Thursday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

(I Corinthians 3:18-23; Luke 5:1-11)

When people win at a slot machine in a casino, almost invariably they play again.  Whether they think they may be on a winning streak or feel a pang to give back some of what they have taken, they feed the slot at least one more coin.  Fishing may be compared to gaming inasmuch as some luck is involved.  Therefore, one might expect Simon, James, and John to go into the deep at least one more time after the miraculous catch they make in today’s gospel.

But the account indicates that the three do not even bother to sell the fish that they have hauled in.  Rather, they leave at once everything to follow Jesus.  Their reason is obvious.  Despite the fact that Jesus is “Lord” in whose presence they cannot help but feel unworthy, he has called them to follow him.  At this point returning to fisherman’s life would be like a janitor going back to mopping floors after hitting the lottery.

Jesus also calls us to follow him.  This does not mean that we have to leave our careers and homes.  But it demands that we consider our lives in a new way.  We will no longer live to please ourselves but to serve him.  Whether we are builders or beauticians, teachers or truck drivers, we will work with his righteousness.  We will also share our faith in Jesus with those who are around us.