Word to the Wise
Thursday, September 3, 2015 - Thursday in the 22th Week in Ordinary Time
[Col 1:9-14 and Luke 5:1-11]THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2015 ST. GREGORY THE GREAT, pope [Colossians 1:9-14 and Luke 5:1-11] "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." [Luke] After "hanging out his shingle" as a preacher, teacher and healer, Jesus now proceeds to gather disciples. One of the characteristics of the Gospel of Luke is a certain charm in the storytelling that invites the imagination to participate. If one is a fisherman, sitting on the shore and mending one's nets, it could be startling to see a stranger walk over to one's boat and get in it and just sit, waiting for the owner to come over. Then one finds one's boat turned into a pulpit! In payment for this effort, there is a huge catch of fish where previous efforts had failed. Jesus had a way of getting attention! To Simon, James and John (who would become a kind of inner circle), Jesus says, "Do not be afraid." Perhaps we can ask ourselves how Jesus has managed to get our own attention, especially when we are mending our nets or licking our wounds after a frustrating effort that has gained nothing. Have we been willing to take a chance on this man who has come and sat down in our boat? Are we willing to throw our nets at his request, and give up our fears? Are we afraid we might just "catch" someone by our witness and not know what to do? He says, "Do not be afraid." Do we believe him? AMEN