Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C
February 07, 2016
Gospel: Lk 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 (1) 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 (2) 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.
(http://usccb.org/bible/readings/020716.cfm)
The difficult words
(1)To disembark is to get out of a boat.
(2) Astonishment is amazement and surprise.
This week’s spotlight
Be disciples
The word “disciple" comes from a Latin word that means "to
learn.” To be a disciple of Jesus is to want to learn something from him.
Whether we're big or small, we can always learn something from the school of
Jesus. At his school it’s not enough just to listen. You also have to learn to love,
obey, and fight temptations. Being a disciple of Jesus means building up the kingdom
of God, the kingdom of love.
The eucharistic prayer (4)
In the eucharistic prayer, the priest uses the words and gestures of
Jesus himself at the Last Supper In this way, the priest takes the place of
Christ in offering sacrifice, and speaks to us on behalf of God. The priest is
also the representative of the people before God. Like Isaiah in today's first
reading, a priest is specially chosen and purified to plead for us before God.
He prays for the people at that Mass, and on their behalf for the whole parish,
and for the whole Church throughout the world. He prays for the Pope and bishop
by name. He may also pray by name for someone who has died, especially when the
Mass is offered for that person.
Reflection
Being a disciple
You’ve surely been asked by someone to do some kind of job or carry out
a mission. Perhaps you have specific chores to do at home, or special duties at
school or in the parish. In today’s Gospel, Jesus invites Simon Peter and his
companions to become his disciples, to become “fishers of men.” God has a
special mission for you, too. You are already called to be his disciple by
baptism. You may be further called to be a “fisher” of men and women through
the priesthood or religious life. You may be called, like your parents, to
become holy in the married life, or as a parent. Or God may be calling you to
become a saint in some other special way. Just as Jesus asked Peter to throw
the net to the other side of the boat, God may ask you to do something that
doesn't make sense at first. Still, God wants to work miracles for you and
through you. Pray about your vocation, read the Gospel, and start serving
others. God will help you to hear and respond to his call.
Discussion questions
1. According to today’s Gospel, where was Jesus?
2. What did Jesus ask Peter to do after preaching?
3. Did Peter do what Jesus asked him to do?
4. What did Jesus call Peter?
5. How can we listen to God’s call like Peter?
6. How might we “catch people” for Jesus?
Praying after Communion
After receiving Holy Communion, you can say this prayer
silently to yourself. If you have not yet received your First Communion, you
can still
say this prayer
because of your desire to receive Jesus.
Father, through Jesus, in communion with the whole
Church, I thank you for coming into my heart. May this communion in the body
and blood of your Son give me the courage to hear your call and accept my
vocation in life. Help me to serve you in all that I do.
This week...
Listen to Jesus' call to become a
disciple
This week, pay attention to signs of God's call. He
may invite you to do some act of kindness, or he may even ask you to consider a
vocation to the priesthood or religious life. God's plan for us may seem
different from our own plans, but keep your heart open!
Puzzle
