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” (Lk 5:4-5).

Faith is to trust in God and believe that what he tells us is true. On our own initiative and will power we are limited as finite beings as to what we can understand and do. Today’s Gospel reading provides an example of this. Simon had been fishing all night with no results. Simon Peter follows Jesus’ command to go back out and put into the deep, and Simon not only accomplishes what he originally set out to do, but he also did so beyond anything he could have ever imagined! When we follow God’s direction and initiative all things are possible for us as well and beyond our wildest imaginings!!!

God’s initiative and grace enter our lives daily as Jesus entered Simon’s boat. Do we have eyes to see, ears to hear, and a willingness to listen and follow the initiative of Jesus? Remember the rich man who had followed all the commandments, but when Jesus invited him to sell all and come and follow him, he could not do it? Simon the magician saw the works of Philip, Peter, and John and wanted to buy the power of the Holy Spirit to heal but was rebuked. Turning away from Jesus’ invitation or seeking to manipulate Jesus for our own personal gain will not bring us the fulfillment that we seek.

We will do better to follow instead the example of Mary. When the archangel Gabriel shared God’s message with her that she was to bear a child, even though she did not understand how this could be, Mary trusted. She conceived in her womb, through the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit, the God-Man, the incarnate Son of God, Jesus the Christ. Joseph also trusted. After hearing the news from Mary, he had decided to quietly divorce her. Gabriel also spoke to him in a dream and Joseph trusted and remained Mary’s husband.

May we also follow such examples as Peter, James, and John, who said yes to lowering their nets, even though they did not see the point. They followed and were amazed. Then led by Peter’s humility and contrition, they “left everything” and followed Jesus. They went on to announce the Gospel of the Lord and caught people for the Kingdom of heaven.

Jesus has a plan for us, as he did for Mary, Joseph, and the Apostles. He will give us the means to accomplish what he calls us to do. In a quiet place in our soul, in the stillness of our hearts, Jesus is inviting us to follow him, to put out into the deep water. What we may hear may seem unbelievable, or insignificant, we may even experience anxiety, fear, or trepidation. Do we have the humility and willingness to follow Jesus, even when we may feel or see no point in his request?

About seventeen years ago, I explored the idea of teaching in a Catholic school and looked for a substitute teacher position and received no bites. JoAnn recommended that I reach out to Rosarian Academy. Like Peter, I initially hesitated, resisting because of the time of the commute but JoAnn persisted. I followed her lead and was hired as a long-term, first grade substitute teacher, and then full time at the middle school for another wonderful eight years. This decision opened the door to entering the permanent diaconate program, Cardinal Newman HS, the seminary for the last two years, ordination to the priesthood this past May and I am blessed to now be serving at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach.

Jesus can guide us directly as he did with Peter or he can guide us through others as he did with me through JoAnn. When we allow our hearts and minds to be open to God’s word and where God is leading us, we will not only experience joy, but we will find fulfillment and meaning in our lives, which will overflow to others.

Photo: Vestibule of Holy Cross Catholic Church, Vero Beach, FL., my new home and going deeper still.

Link for the Mass readings for Thursday, September 5, 2024