Join us today as we celebrate Holy Communion for the Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time, 2/6/22. To follow along at home, click here and print the Holy Communion Program. Text of today’s homily below.
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Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time -- Sunday 2/6/22
Readings: Is 6:1-2a, 3-8, Ps 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-8, 1 Cor 15:1-11, Lk 5:1-11
Luke 5:1-11 American Standard Version
Now it came to pass, while the multitude pressed upon him and heard the word of God, that he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret; and he saw two boats standing by the lake: but the fishermen had gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the multitudes out of the boat. And when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Put out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answered and said, Master, we toiled all night, and took nothing: but at thy word I will let down the nets. And when they had done this, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes; and their nets were breaking; and they beckoned unto their partners in the other boat, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was amazed, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken; and so were also James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And when they had brought their boats to land, they left all, and followed him.
Nowadays we’re so removed from the cattlemen, farmers and fishermen who produce and gather our food supply that we don’t think about them at all, much less consider the importance of the people who make our food available to us. My family and friends tease me about making acquaintance with the cashiers, baggers, and stockers at the local chain grocery store. To my way of thinking though, if I had lived in the time of Christ, I would’ve known well the men and women who fed my village. These days we just complain about the high price of groceries. But back then, if Peter got no catch, he and the entire village went hungry. And when his nets were filled, all rejoiced and happily paid a fair price for his haul. So the least I can do is remember the names of the nice folks who work at my grocery store, ask how their families are doing, and take a genuine interest in them.
So, in this context, we enter into this Gospel reading and see that after a failed night of fishing, Peter has stepped out of his boat and is cleaning his nets. He is not working or toiling. He is taking a moment to re-evaluate how he has been approaching his life. Isn’t that what a smart person does after a bad day at work? Don’t you take some time to think about what went wrong and how to do better tomorrow? Peter is washing his nets. He’s washing away his preconceived notions, opening himself to a new way of seeing and being in the world to the benefit of himself and his village, and he’s ready to receive a new method of gathering physical and spiritual sustenance into the community.
And so, with crowds hungry for teaching pressing in, Jesus takes over Peter’s boat. That boat is Peter’s life and livelihood, it’s the way Peter feeds himself, his family, and his neighborhood. He allows Jesus to step into it that boat and take it over completely. His boat is now Christ’s boat. Despite having caught nothing all night, Peter has faith. He goes out into deeper water, casts his net, and lands a net-breaking catch – a foreshadowing of his evangelization’s future success.
Friends, our boats can be dangerous and scary places, tossed by waves, raised and lowered by tides, blown off course by winds, capsized by storms, and attacked by pirates. Our nets can become dirty. They can be ripped by sharp-toothed fish, shredded on the rocks, and stolen by thieves. But if in good faith we cleanse, mend, and protect our nets and if we let Christ take command of our boats, it is possible for us to sail through this life in a new way. That doesn’t mean it will be smooth sailing. It just means that we’ll be able to go out into deep water, reach down into the darkened depths, and bring up the good, the true, and the beautiful. We can gather up the Holy Spirit and share it with those in want.
We too can be fishers of men.