Sunday, February 07, 2016

Reflection for Sunday February 7, Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time; Luke 5:1-11

Gospel: 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.
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Reflection:
A middle-aged man wanted to follow Jesus but he would always have second thoughts if he would proceed with his desire because he was sinful. Thus, the feeling of unworthiness creeps into him.

Who among us are worthy to become a follower of Jesus? Nobody for all of us are sinful, all of us have offended the Lord one way or another. Yet in spite of our unworthiness we are always being called by Jesus to follow Him so that He could clean us of our sins no matter how dark and dirty our past. 

The Lord does not call us to condemn us of the countless sins that we have committed. He calls us so that He could restore us of our dignity which we have lost through our sinfulness. He calls us to tell us that His love for us can overcome whatever sins that we have committed. All He want from us is our yes!

In the gospel, after Jesus performed the miracle of the great catch of fish before the very eyes of Simon and the other fishermen (Luke 5:6). Simon Peter kneeled before Jesus and he begged Jesus to leave them for they were all sinful. And therefore unworthy of the miracle that he did for them (Luke 5:8). 

However, Jesus with all the love, mercy and forgiveness in His heart told Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men (Luke 5:10).” Right after bringing their boats to the shore, Simon and the other fishermen left everything including their sinfulness to follow Jesus (Luke 5:11).

Jesus is calling you also to lead a new life with Him, regardless of your sins and your dark past. Will you heed this call of Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

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