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TODAY'S MEDITATION
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2010 - TWENTY-SECOND WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME
1
CORINTHIANS 3:18-23
Brothers and sisters: Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you
considers himself wise in this age, let him become a fool, so as to become wise.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God, for it is
written: God catches the wise in their own ruses, and again: The Lord knows
the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
So let no one boast about human beings, for everything belongs to you,
Paul or Apollos or Ceph as, or the world or life or death, or the present or the
future: all belong to you, and you to Christ, and Christ to God.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
LUKE
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.
++++++++++++++++++++++
One has to know a little bit about fishing to know the extent of this miraculous
catch. Simon Peter and his companions caught fish with nets. To be able to do
this effectively the fish must be near the surface of the water. This is why
they fished primarily at night, while the fish were at the surface to feed on
insects that landed on the water. All night they fished and caught nothing.
Nonetheless, when Jesus tells them to put out to deep water and lower their nets
they do so and catch a huge amount. It is the wrong time of day, midday, and
the wrong spot on the lake. Deep water is the last place you can expect to catch
fish at midday. The fish are more likely to be towards the bottom of the lake.
The reality of this miracle is not lost on Peter who falls to his knees and begs
Jesus to leave him because he is a sinful man.
Looking a little closer at this story we find a hint of what lies ahead for
these first Apostles. They will become fishers of men, they are told. But they
will be fishing on God's time and in God's place. By worldly standards it will
be the wrong time and place. They will be in deep water as they begin to build
the Church after Pentecost. The cost of joining the Christian Church in the
first century was dear. The work of building the Church was deadly, costing the
Apostles their lives. Yet the Church grew and flourished even to today.
The miracle of the growth of the Church and its survival through out the ages is
perhaps the greatest of all miracles. Jesus breathed life into the Church when
he sent the Holy Spirit upon it at Pentecost, and even the brokenness of her
leaders would not be able to destroy his bride. At the beginning of the third
millennium of Christianity, despite recent problems and scandals, the Church is
stronger than ever. We began the new millennium lead by one of the most
charismatic popes of all time. Our journey into a new era continues with a Pope
who I believe will continue to follow the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Do we need more proof of God's care and love for the Church? Can anyone really
say that the Holy Spirit is not protecting and guiding the Church through out
her life?
I don't think so.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Lord Jesus, you gave your Church the
gift of your Spirit. Help us who are members of Your Mystical Body to remain
faithful and to grow in the gifts of the Holy Spirit that we may continue to
assist the Church in proclaiming your Good News of salvation.
Deacon
Ed
PAST MEDITATIONS
Monday, August 16 Tuesday, August 17 Thursday, August 19 Friday, August 20 Thursday, August 26