Thursday, September 4, 2025

 

Thursday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

(Colossians 1:9-14; Luke 5:1-11)

“Deep water” for fishermen is the water beyond the shallows near land’s edge.  Large fish gather there to prey upon the smaller fish and plankton.  Fishermen like Pedro, James, and John in today’s gospel will troll deep water in the hope of making a significant catch.

“Deep water” for most people is the profundity of life that holds life’s meaning.  It is family, career, or major investment where they recognize what makes life worth living.   When Jesus tells Peter to “put out into deep water,” he is directing him to do more than look for fish. He means to reveal to Peter how to live the rest of his life. 

Our faith is “deep water.”  It gives us ultimate meaning by showing us how to live with integrity through the ups and down of time.  Equally important, it provides both our goal in life and the help to attain that goal.

Thursday, September 5, 2024

Thursday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

(I Cor 3:18-20; Luke 5:1-11)

A boat makes a fitting symbol of the Church.  As boats carry passengers to their destination, the Church takes its members to God’s kingdom.  Also, as a boat has capacity for an enormous number of fish, so too the Church has room for all peoples.  Peter’s boat in today’s gospel, therefore, can be seen as the Church.

Peter’s great haul of fish symbolizes the Church’s success over the centuries at making converts of individuals and nations.  However, at the moment in the western world at least the numbers of Baptisms are reduced.  Now the Church must listen again to Jesus’ command, “Put out into the deep…”  In the deep people reflect and create.  So the Church will find new methods for bringing in a great haul.  Effective use of social media is one way the Church is attracting new members.  Also, the Church is organizing young people as missionaries to tell their friends about Jesus, our Savior.

There are many ways to evangelize, and all Christians have a role in the endeavor.  We must live our faith openly and not be intimidated by the current indifference if not disdain for Christianity.  People will respond to the calls from the Church reinforced by our positive example.

Thursday, September 1, 2022

 Thursday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

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

After Jesus has taught the crowds, he asks Peter to take his boat into deep water to catch fish.  Peter hesitantly says, “’Master, we have worked hard all night…’” Yet he complies with the command.  His obedience results, of course, is a tremendous catch.  Then Peter addresses Jesus again.  He no longer calls him “master” (that is, teacher).  Now he recognizes Jesus as we do today.  “Lord…,” he says. 

As Jesus’ title has changed, so does Peter and companions’ profession.  Jesus tells them that they will no longer be catching fish but catching men.  The new line of work will cost them plenty.  The passage reads that they left everything to follow Jesus.

Is Jesus calling us to a similar sacrifice?  We are used to thinking that such complete surrender was reserved for religious.  However, Vatican II emphasized that all Christians are called to holiness.  We may not leave our homes to follow Jesus.  Nevertheless, our priority in life should change.  From seeking what is best for “me”, we seek to do God’s will.  We carefully discern what that means for us as individuals.  It will probably seem daunting at first but like the fishermen in the gospel, obedience brings a tremendous dividend.

Thursday, September 2, 2021

Thursday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

(Colossians 1:9-14; Luke 5:1-11)

It’s remarkable that Peter and Andrew, James and John do not return to the sea after their monumental catch.  Having known scarcity as fishermen, they would want to take full advantage of a windfall.  But they drop everything to follow Jesus. 

The fisherman act like someone who has won a jackpot with someone’s suggestion of a slot machine to play.  But rather than putting another coin in the generous machine or asking for another tip, the winner just follows the benefactor wherever he may go.  She obviously has found in him a treasure more valuable than money.

Jesus has many ideas of how to make life worth living.  His ideas really do us even better than that.  They make us hopeful of eternal life.  His ways will require some sacrifice.  But walking with him and his followers, we will not be disappointed.  Rather, we will know peace. 

Thursday, September 5. 2019

Thursday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

(Colossians 1:9-14; Luke 5:1-11)

When people win at slot machines, almost invariably they play again.  They may think they are on a winning streak or may feel a need to give back some of what they have taken.  In any case, they feed the slot at least one more coin.  Fishing may be compared to slots inasmuch as the result is beyond one’s complete control.  Therefore, Simon, James, and John might be expected to return to 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 everything at once 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 preferring Roman graffiti to the Sistine Chapel. 

Jesus calls us to do likewise.  No, he does not mean that we must leave our careers, but he insists that we look at what we do in a new way.  We will no longer consider our work primarily as a way to make money.  We will look upon it more so as a way to serve others.  Whether we are builders or beauticians, assembly line workers or sales reps, we will make sure that what we do conforms to his righteousness.  Then we will redouble our efforts so that our work duly honors him.

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.

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Memorial of Saint Gregory the Great, pope

(Colossians 1:9-14; Luke 5:1-11)

St. Gregory is known as “the Great” because of his many accomplishments as pope.  Of these he is particularly famous for his sending out missionaries to England and Germany.  Especially in the latter place he is credited with facilitating the acceptance of Christianity by allowing the inculturation of the faith.  The pagan people there were accustomed to worshipping outside, but Christians generally worship in churches.  Gregory promoted the adoption of blessings of fields so that the new religion would not seem so strange to the Germans.  Pagans had their host of deities which was, of course, incompatible with Christian practice.  Gregory had missionaries use the saints as heavenly patrons for the people.  Just as there was a god for silversmiths, there would be a patron saint for these workers.

In today’s gospel Jesus likewise promotes missionary activity.  His sending Peter and companions back to the waters to fish prefigures their going forth to all nations.  They will bring many to hope in eternal life once Jesus is crucified and risen from the dead. 

The Church challenges all its members to consider themselves as missionaries.  Its “new evangelization” is a call that we bring others to the faith.  It is not a sending forth to distant shores but to our own families and associates.  By lives demonstrating how love for God moves us to care for neighbor, we are to instill the longing for eternal life in Christ.

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Thursday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

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

The poet Alfred Lord Tennyson captures the vigor of ancient adventurers in his poem “Ulysses.”  One line is especially famous: "Tis not too late to seek a newer world."  Already an old man returned from the Trojan War, the hero is not content to sit back and die.  Rather he embarks on a new voyage to accomplish more feats. Jesus instills in the fishermen of today’s gospel a similar spirit.

Peter and company have ended a night's work without any fish to show for their efforts. But after hearing Jesus preach, they do not refute his command to try again. Rowing into deep water, they lower their nets and watch in astonishment the marvelous catch. Jesus then uses the incident as a parable to indicate the successful missionary efforts the fishermen will have as his disciples.

As many of our youth lose interest in the Church, some may become discouraged. They wonder whether the Lord is really here among us.  Of course, he is – closer to us than we are to ourselves as St. Augustine would say.  Let us not fear to put out into the deep.  We have to testify to the young of the Lord’s presence.  He has saved us from danger time and again.  He has also enlightened us continually to perform acts of kindness.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Thursday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

(Colossians 1:9-14; 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 least one more coin.  Fishing may be compared to gaming inasmuch as 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 preferring to view Roman graffiti to Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. 

Jesus also calls us to do likewise.  No, he does not mean for all to leave their careers, but he insists that we look at what we do in a new way.  We will no longer work primarily for our own benefit but to serve him.  Whether we are builders or beauticians, assembly line workers or sales reps, we will make sure that what we are doing conforms to his righteousness and then redouble our efforts so that our work honors him.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Thursday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

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

The poet Alfred Lord Tennyson captured the vigor of Greek adventurers when he wrote in the poem “Ulysses”: "Tis not too late to seek a newer world." Already an old man returned from the Trojan War, the hero is not content to sit back and die. Rather he ventures onward to accomplish new feats or to die in the attempt. Jesus instills in the fisherman of today’s gospel a similar willingness to do again what they have done before but this time against all odds.

Peter and company have ended a night's work without any fish to show for their efforts. But after hearing Jesus preach, they are not about to refute his command to try again. They go out into the deep, lower their nets, and watch in astonishment the marvelous catch of fish. Jesus then uses the incident as a parable to indicate the successful missionary efforts the fishermen will have as his disciples.

As we see once crowded churches with many empty pews today, some may become discouraged. They say that we must resign ourselves to small communities of faith. However, this is not the line we hear from Pope Benedict. He will shortly open a synod of bishops to discuss the “New Evangelization.” He knows that as much as ever the world needs to hear Jesus' goods news. Further, he believes that every committed Catholic is capable of proclaiming it to others.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Thursday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

(Colossians 1:9-14; Luke 5:1-11)

Frank Leahy, the legendary football coach at Notre Dame, once told how he recruited the Heisman Trophy winner Paul Hornung. Hornung was a high school star in Louisville when Leahy talked with him. “God has blessed you with a magnificent body,” the coach said and then asked, “Wouldn’t you like to use it for the glory of His mother?” This may seem incredible but those who knew Leahy say that he had a sincere, almost naive charm.

Perhaps Jesus in the gospel today speaking to Peter sounds as simple as Leahy. “Put out into the deep,” he says but more in the imperative than interrogative mode, “and lower your nets for a catch.” Jesus comes from the family of a carpenter, but Peter has just witnessed his casting out Peter’s mother’s demon. He cannot not comply with Jesus’ wish. The resulting catch of fish becomes a parable of how Peter will convert masses of people to the Lord with his preaching once Jesus rises from the dead and sends his Spirit upon his disciples.

We may hear the Lord make a similar, seemingly naive call to us. Perhaps it will be to give up our career to become a priest or religious. Or maybe he will want us to dedicate a portion of time to serve the needy. We need to discern carefully to make sure that the urge is not our own desire to appear as saints or even martyrs. But like Paul Hornung it may very well be that the Lord is really asking us to give ourselves more thoroughly for his glory.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Thursday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

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

A witness to the process of canonization of St. Dominic, the founder of the Order of Preachers, testified that the saint never became agitated or angry. Even on arduous journeys, Paul of Venice said, Dominic “was always happy in tribulations and patient in adversities.” This note regarding another saint may help us appreciate the holiness of Simon Peter in the gospel today.

Simon must feel tired and frustrated as he returns from a long night of fishing without catching anything. We might think of the writer who spends hours before her computer before realizing that she has typed nothing worth saving. Or Simon at this moment may be compared to the farmer who comes home to find his garden completely ruined by raccoons. Simon may want to swear and certainly needs to rest before considering his next outing. When Jesus at that moment tells him to put out to sea and lower the nets again, he may even consider exploding, “What do you know about fishing?” But instead he tells the Lord calmly what took place during the night and without hesitation does as Jesus commands. The result, of course, is a catch so stupendous that Simon is completely humbled and entirely changes his life.

Very often in the New Testament followers of Jesus are exhorted to patience, kindness, and gentleness. Roughness, bitterness, and rancor are not Christian virtues. Not only do soft words and obliging ways attract others to Christ, they also act like gentle rains producing abundant fruit for their practitioners.

Homilette for Thursday, September 3, 2009

Memorial of Saint Gregory the Great, pope and doctor of the Church

(Colossians 1:9-14; Luke 5:1-11)

Even before Pope John Paul II died, some Church commentators wondered whether he would go down in history as “John Paul the Great.” It would be an extraordinary tribute. Only two other popes have had the distinction of being so characterized: St. Gregory whom we celebrate today and St. Leo whose feast was in June. Just as John Paul II’s, Gregory's papacy was marked by accomplishment. He is credited with saving Rome from the invading Lombards and became a temporal leader with the virtual abdication of the Roman emporer. He wrote extensively on different subjects. His Pastoral Care became a standard manual for church leaders, and his Moralia is considered a great spiritual work of antiquity. He also reformed the liturgy publishing the Gregorian Sacramentary. In fact, Gregorian chant is named after him.

The gospel today indicates the source of the prodigious achievements of popes like Gregory the Great and John Paul II. By relating how their boats are deluged with fish when Jesus’ disciples’ heed his command to “(P)ut out into the deep and lower your nets,” it suggests that the critical element of greatness is following Jesus’ directives. This rule applies to us as well. We too may achieve remarkable feats – at least the salvation of our own souls. In such cases our survivors may not think of us “Maria the Great” or “Stephen the Great,” but they will likely give thanks to God that we have lived.

Homilette for Thursday, September 4, 2008

Thursday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

(Luke 5:1-11)

Pope John Paul II made a mighty impression on Washington Post reporter Haynes Johnson during the papal visit in 1979. Although the newsman had covered events and personalities for decades, Johnson was swept away by the pope’s energy, message, and sense of mission. A confirmed Protestant, he simply stood in awe of the Catholic hierarch.

In the gospel today Peter shows an even great wonder for Jesus than Haynes Johnson’s for Pope John Paul. When he sees the tremendous catch of fish made at Jesus’ command, Peter prostrates before him. A commentator notes how Peter does not respond to Jesus as a fisherman saying, “’Why didn’t I know where the fish were?’” but as a human being before one whom he recognizes as Lord. Like the prophet Isaiah at his call or like any one human experiencing the holy, Peter must confess his unworthiness.

In our attempt to understand Jesus as human, we often miss the fundamental insight of the apostles and the gospels. Jesus certainly was subject to human limitations, but his co-existing divine nature enabled him to stand out as Lord of the universe. Only as such does following him today make sense. The gospel states that Peter and company “left everything and followed him.” We have to at least leave behind our wanton desires in our following.