February 07, 2010 5th Ordinary Sunday Is. 6:1-2, 3-8; 1 Cor. 15:1-11; Lk. 5:1-11 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________   Readings:    http://www.usccb.org/nab/020710.shtml   ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________   The men by the Sea of Galilee had toiled all night and taken nothing. They were tired and a bit discouraged; but when Jesus spoke to them, his words gave them a lift to make another effort. Exactly such is His effect in greater things. His word can make those who have grown discouraged in their spiritual endeavours try again.   Jesus told these fishermen to put out into the deep. They responded, and they got the results that they would not have won if they had stayed in the shallows by the shore. When Peter and the others were called to leave their fishing boats and to follow Jesus on an unpredictable way and into what would prove to be a costly allegiance, they were putting out into deep waters. Paul was putting out into the deep when he launched the mission to the Gentiles. All the great pioneers and evangelists have done the same.   Jesus calls four men to come with him, and they do come. They commit themselves from that moment to be not ordinary fishermen, but followers of him who said that he would teach them to fish for men. The power of Jesus' call to the disciples broke the patterns by which they lived. They were being challenged to sail further from the familiar shore, to cast a greater vision, to find new challenges.   If we are willing to let go of our nets, if we are willing to push for the hard answer, God will empower us. Faith ought not to be confused with feelings. Faith is to move in trust and with courage even when we feel uncertain. Our faith becomes the prism through which you see the potential of our lives. Through this faith we find new ways to use the skills that we have developed in life. We see new opportunities around us. When all our fears and excuses get crushed, we are open to the power of God to lead us.   God is still confronting us, challenging the patterns we have fallen into--the habits and ways of thinking that have at times imprisoned us. He confronts us with what might be and though we might feel unworthy, God calls for us to be his. God, as he did through Peter, James, and John, can work miracles through us. Are we willing to try?     <<   Previous: 4th Ordinary Sunday  | Next: 6th Ordinary Sunday >>   Go Back to SERMONS (Year C)