February 7th - Reflection

Reading
Fifth Sunday After Epiphany
Luke 5:1-11 (NRSV)
Jesus calls the disciples to fish for people

Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." Simon answered, "Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets." When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people." When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.

Reflection
First listen to the Word of God, then go out further than you have gone before, next let down your defenses, and finally see what God can do through and in you. And graciously rejoice in praise and thanksgiving to God Almighty.

Jesus separated himself from the crowd and took a place where it would be easy for everyone to focus only on him, in a boat, in the water. I need to first keep my focus on Jesus and listen to what he has to say. Listen to the Word.

Then the invitation of Jesus to put out into deep water... I need to accept his invitation to go out deep, to go out into the Kingdom to places I have never been before. I need to accept the invitation.

Let down the nets... I need to let down my preconceived ideas and obey the Word. Just do what he tells me to do and trust in Jesus. He knows the plan and knows what I am to do. I need to put my own selfish desires behind myself and give my life away to Jesus and let down those nets.

The nets were breaking... Finally, I need to rejoice in the work that God does through me and those with me. God can do wonderful things with me. God can do wonderful things with some fishermen and tax collectors and maintenance workers and office workers and musicians and doctors and nurses and politicians and machine operators and business executives and managers and secretaries and clergy and service workers and...

Give thanks for what God can do --- Listen-Go out-Let go-See-Give thanks!

Prayer
Lord, I focus on you this day. May I hear your Word and follow your way and do what you have planned for me. Help me to give up my sinfulness and give up my pride and selfish desire to do what I have planned. Lead me to do and follow what you have planned for me this day, tomorrow and forever. ---Amen