First reading: Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 138
Second reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Gospel reading: Luke 5:1-11
"Leave me Lord. I am a sinful man."
The gospel for February 7 is taken from the gospel of Luke. It
tells the story of the call to discipleship of Simon Peter, James,
and John. The story begins with Jesus getting into one of the
boats (the one belonging to Simon Peter) - and after pulling out
a short distance from the shore, began to teach God's Word to the
crowds from the boat. After Jesus finished speaking, He noticed
that Simon Peter had not caught any fish. He thus ordered Simon
to "put out into deep water and lower his nets". At first Simon
was reluctant because they had worked all night and have caught
nothing. But he eventually obeyed. And then to his amazement, he
and his companions caught such a great number that the weight of
the catch was almost near to sink their boats! At this Peter fell
at his knees and said, "leave me, Lord. I am a sinful man". But
Jesus said, "Do not be afraid. From now on you will be catching
men." Simon and his companion fishermen brought their boats to
shore, left everything, and followed Jesus.
Bible commentator Robert J. Karris says that this passage from
Luke is drawn from the gospel of Mark (which was a written source
earlier than Luke's gospel). The huge catch of fish (Lk 5:4-7)
and Simon Peter's reaction to it (Lk 5:8-11) makes Luke's version
a protracted version of Mark's. Karris also points out that the
main message of this gospel story is related to Simon Peter's
vocation and ministry as an apostle. From a simple fisherman,
Christ called Peter to be a "fisher of men" - enlisting him in
His corps of kingdom workers.
Many of us know how difficult it is to make ends meet in these
times of serious global financial crises. Like Peter, we "work
all night" and yet we could not keep up with the food bills, the
household utility bills, our children's educational needs, the
support we give to elderly parents or relatives, and so forth.
For some of us who are humbled by this truth, we sometimes
experience a financial windfall, and then we realize how we took
too much pride in our own strength, our own intelligence, skills
and talents (and connections). But when God blesses us with an
unexpected financial solution, we exclaim like Peter, "leave me
Lord. I am a sinful person." God's great mercy, goodness, and
compassion humbles us and makes us realize that all good things
come from Him; our life as a Catholic individual, family or
community, depends ultimately on Him. As an old proverb teaches
us, "we do our best, and God will do the rest". Let us therefore
thank God for all His goodness and mercy - especially in making
us His children (despite our sinfulness). The Eucharist is a
celebration of thanksgiving. By this great sacrament, our family
is nourished and our faith and hope in God is strengthened, that
we may do His will and share this faith and hope also with
others.
