Tag: Simon

“They abandoned their nets.” | Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Free lectio divina prayer guide: quarryapps.gumroad.com/l/jojqau

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mk 3:20-21)

As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.

Jesus calls Simon and Andrew in the midst of their workday. They are in a boat, working for their sustenance and casting their nets into the sea. James and John, brothers in a family business, are mending their nets. In their livelihood, they are literally and figuratively in the same boat. When Jesus calls them, he refers to their occupation to make clear that what they have done as humble fisherman will be relevant to their work as disciples. Jesus invites them to get out of their boat and into his, not literally but figuratively, and they did. “They abandoned their nets and followed him.” Mark adds that Zebedee was not left to work alone but had hired men there to help him, a subtle suggestion that God takes care of all of the details when his invitation to follow is accepted. In the words of Christ, here is his invitation: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

God, help me understand the depth of today’s Gospel, how it was that the first apostles abandoned their way of life to follow Jesus Christ your Son. There are levels of understanding in the reading, ways to approach it. What did it mean for each of the apostles to follow Christ? Where did it lead them? And then I might ask what it means to me to hear Christ’s invitation to follow, to fail to follow, repent, and try all over again through the sacrament of reconciliation. The rich young man who appears elsewhere in Mark, could not bring himself to do what humble fisherman accomplished: they abandoned their nets. Give me the grace to remain humble, to recognize that whatever I do for worldly gain means nothing if it prevents me from following you. Help me recognize, Lord, as Paul says, that time is running out and that “the world in its present form is passing away.” Lord, give me clarity and wisdom in hearing and responding to your call.

From the responsorial psalm: “Your ways, O LORD, make known to me; teach me your paths, Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior. Teach me your ways, O Lord.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Thursday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 5:1-11)

Jesus 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.” When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that the boats were in danger of sinking. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”

Peter had been working hard all night in a futile attempt to catch fish, so he must have taken Jesus’ words “Put out into deep water” with a grain of salt. But after bringing in a large catch of fish—a miraculous sign of God’s extraordinary generosity—he confesses his sinfulness and responds immediately to Jesus’ call to follow him. “When they brought their boats to the shore,” Luke tells us, “they left everything and followed him.” By using the metaphor of fishing, Jesus demonstrates that discipleship is not limited or limiting, but they are called to cast their nets wide and bring people from all walks of life into the Kingdom of God.

God, help me understand today’s Gospel message. I so often get caught up in the plans I have for any given day only to find that I accomplished little of what I strived for. Peter’s reply to Jesus, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man,” reminds me that unless I listen out for your voice and do what is pleasing to you, my efforts are in vain. Give me the grace of humility to work today not for attaining and exceeding my own expectations but to be attentive to your Son. Just as Jesus approaches Simon and Andrew and invites them to follow him, he also calls me to work with him to accomplish your will.

From the Gospel acclamation: “Come after me, says the Lord, and I will make you fishers of men.” Lord, make known your ways to me as I set out on this day.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Wednesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 4:38-44)

At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place. The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, “To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent.” And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

In a single day, Jesus performs a series of miracles that include healing Simon’s mother-in-law from a fever, curing people who had various diseases and illnesses, and casting out demons from many. At daybreak the next day, Jesus begins his journey to other towns, doing the will of his Father by proclaiming the Kingdom in his words and actions. In doing this, Jesus invites us to seek his healing power and at the same time participate in his mission of proclaiming the Kingdom of God.

Father in heaven, just as Jesus had your will as his purpose, I have the same. Just as he was sent by you to proclaim your kingdom, I have that same task. Help me recognize you today in the opportunities you place before me. Give me the grace to be a witness of hope to your love and mercy.

From the responsorial psalm: “The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor and to proclaim liberty to captives.” Lord, I trust in your mercy.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.