February 6, 2022
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
Readings for Today
“Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Luke 5:4
It’s interesting to note that Jesus did not simply tell Peter and the Apostles to put out into the water; rather, He told them to put out into the “deep water.” This is significant.
At the close of the great jubilee year of 2000, Saint Pope John Paul II wrote an apostolic letter, Novo Millennio Ineunte in which he began by quoting this Gospel passage. This passage set the tone for the rest of his letter in which he called for a new evangelization for the coming millennium.
“Put out into the deep!” What should we take from this? What should we hear Jesus speaking to us? We should hear Him calling us to “lower our nets” in a tireless and committed way so as to draw many others to the Gospel. When Peter and the Apostles did this in the boat, they caught so many fish that their nets were tearing and they were greatly astonished. This is a prophetic action given to us to tell us that we must evangelize with the utmost enthusiasm and zeal, searching far and wide for God’s lost sheep.
The world we live in can be brutal at times. So many people are lost and confused. Sin is rampant and despair is prevalent. Our world is in desperate need of a Savior and we are the ones Jesus desires to use to gather a huge catch and to find those in greatest need. Jesus desired the Apostles to catch the fish that were in the deep waters as a way of saying that there are countless souls in our world who are far from God. There are many people “swimming” in an ocean of confusion and pain. It is these people, in particular, that Jesus wants to draw in. It’s our responsibility to heed the command of our Lord and to seek them out.
Reflect, today, upon these words of Jesus: “Put out into the deep water.” In what way is Jesus asking this of you? How is it that He is calling you to go out of your comfort zone and “lower your nets?” What is it that He wants of you and how does He desire to use you to further the mission of evangelization. Heed His command and you, too, will be amazed at the good fruit that is born!
Lord of infinite mercy, I desire to give myself to You for Your service and glory. I desire to go forth, at Your command, looking for the souls in most need of Your abundant mercy. Give me the grace I need to be faithful to the calling You have given to me so that Your loving mercy will reach those most in need. Jesus, I trust in You.
Scripture Meditations for Ordinary Time
Saint of the Day – Saints Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs
Not celebrated as a liturgical memorial this year since it falls on Sunday
Featured image above: The Second Miraculous Draught of Fishes By James Tissot, via Wikimedia Commons
Two great books for Lent:
Lent and Easter Reflections
Updated for Lent & Easter 2022 with additional reflections and more detailed Table of Contents
Lent and Easter Reflections is one of four books that makes up the Catholic Daily Reflections Series. As a devotional it is a great resource for daily meditation and prayer offering reflections on the Gospel of the day in a practical, faithful and down-to-earth way. It is formatted in such a way that it can be used for any liturgical year, offering reflections on every Gospel option, including Sunday Years A, B & C, every daily Mass option and all Feasts and Solemnities. Allow the death and resurrection of Christ to transform your heart more fully this Lent and Easter! It is also available in paperback & eBook format!
40 Days at the Foot of the Cross:
A Gaze of Love from the Heart of Our Blessed Mother
Through this daily devotional you are invited to prayerfully ponder the mind and heart of our Blessed Mother as she endured the great suffering inflicted upon her own dear Son. Mother Mary faced the Cross of her Son with perfect faith, love and devotion. Her fidelity to her Son throughout His life was unwavering. As she stood before the Cross during those long three hours, that fidelity never ceased.
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