Faith and Family

Faith and Family for February 6: Go Cast Your Nets

READ

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 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,

UNDERSTAND

by Father Greg Friedman, OFM

The satiric duo in the TV comedy routine called “Wayne’s World,” had a signature line: “We’re not worthy!” That was their response to the presence of rock stars they were interviewing. The routine still brings laughs.

A more serious confession of unworthiness appears in our Scriptures today. First, Isaiah has a vision of God seated on the heavenly throne. The scene is so overwhelming that Isaiah not only proclaims his unworthiness, but is afraid he’ll be struck dead! God has a job for him: Isaiah will speak on God’s behalf to the people.

In the Gospel, Peter professes his sinfulness after Jesus helps him and his colleagues bring in a miraculous catch of fish. Peter knows he’s in the presence of divine power. He knows he’s not worthy! But Jesus also has a job in mind: fishing for people. The implications might not have been clear to these apostles-to-be, but their response is immediate and bold. They leave everything to follow Jesus.

We probably wouldn’t put ourselves in the shoes—or sandals—of either Isaiah or Peter. But that doesn’t mean we’re not called by God! The fact of our baptism means that we have a vocation—a call—that’s just as certain as our Biblical heroes today. If so, what do we need to leave behind as we respond to that call?

DISCUSS

by Father Dan Kroger, OFM

  • In this week’s first reading, Isaiah describes his vision of the Lord God seated on his throne. What does Isaiah say was his first reaction?

    What did one of the angels do? Afterward, what did Isaiah say?

  • The second reading tells of how Paul reminds the Corinthians about how he handed on the Gospel of Christ, which he had received, on to them, that Christ died for our sins, and how he was raised on the third day. Then Paul says that last of all, the risen Christ had appeared to him. How does Paul describe himself? Does hel brag about what happened to him?
  • According to the Gospel, when the crowd was pressing in on Jesus while he was preaching, he got into the fishing boat that belonged to Peter and asked him to put out a bit from the shore. What did Jesus do while in Peter’s boat?

    A little while later, Jesus told Peter to put out into the deep water and lower his nets. At first Peter objected. Why? What did Peter tell Jesus?

    What happened when Peter and his companions lowered their nets?

ACT

by Susan Hines-Brigger

  • Close your eyes and have someone read this week’s Gospel story. As you listen, try to picture the scene being described. Imagine lying on the ground, listening to the sound of the water and the feeling of the sun.
  • In the Gospel, the disciples catch an overwhelming abundance of fish, thanks to Jesus. Is there something you have an overabundance of that you could share with others, such as clothes or toys? Offer those items to family and friends, or take them to a local donation center.

Faith and Family

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