Why
did Jesus perform the miracle of the great catch of fish? No doubt the great
crowd of people who had pressed upon Jesus had something to do with this
miracle. They were very hungry for God and were eager to hear his word. Jesus
wanted to use this occasion to teach his disciples an important lesson.
Although Simon was wearied from a night of fruitless toil, he nonetheless did
what the Lord Jesus told him to do: At your word I will let down the nets.
This
incident tells us an important truth about how God works in and through each of
us for his glory. God expects of us greater things than we can do by ourselves.
When we cooperate in his works, we accomplish far beyond what we can do on our
own. When God's word is spoken his kingdom is revealed and his power is
released. When people respond to God's word with faith and obedience they are
changed and made "a new creation" in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians
5:17).
God
chooses ordinary people, like you and me, as his ambassadors and he uses the
ordinary circumstances of our daily lives and work situations to draw others
into his kingdom. Jesus speaks the same message to us today: we will
"catch people" for the kingdom of God if we allow the light of Jesus
Christ to shine through us. God wants others to see the light of Christ in us
in the way we live, speak, and witness the joy of the Gospel.
Feb
10 is Ash Wednesday. Masses and distribution of ashes are at 9:15 am, 1 pm and
7:30 pm.
Fr. Phil
