YEAR A: HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE 22ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME (1)
YEAR A: HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE 22ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
HOMILY THEME: FISHERS OF MEN
BY: Fr. Benny Tuazon
HOMILY: (Lk. 5:1-11)
YEAR A: HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE 22ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
HOMILY THEME: FISHERS OF MEN
BY: Fr. Benny Tuazon
HOMILY: (Lk. 5:1-11) Thursday of the Twenty Second Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s Gospel Jesus encountered Simon and the other fishermen who were disembarking from their boats after going out at sea to fish. After teaching the crowd, Jesus turned to Simon and commanded him to again throw their nets to fish. Simon reacted to Jesus informing him of their unsuccessful trip at sea. But like others who had heard and saw the Lord, Simon obeyed. Lo and behold, they had a big catch which almost tore their nets! Simon realized that Jesus was no ordinary man. He thought he was unworthy of His company. But Jesus had more important things in His mind. He invited Simon and his companions to be His disciples. In the words of Jesus, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will be catching men.”
Simon and his companions were expert fishermen. They knew the sea just like the palm of their hands. They knew the behaviour of the fish more than anyone else. That was the reason why he initially doubted Jesus’ command for them to fish again. But Jesus, just like in the previous Gospel, spoke and moved with authority. There was something in Him that prodded them to follow Him. And Jesus revealed Himself more to them when they had a big catch.
The message is clear. God calls. We obey. A big catch results. God knows best. It is really a discipline not to be dominated by our human experience and knowledge and let God rule over us. The temptation to take control of things is very strong. At times we believe, mistakenly, that we can do things on our own. Later, we will realize our weakness, limitation, and inability.
Simon and the other disciples left their work. From fishing for fish, they were called to fish for men. Both are very much different from each other. But it was Jesus who called. When He calls, He provides. If the one called is open and obedient, the Good News will be proclaimed effectively. Priests, nuns, and lay people knew that very much. Almost everyone who is called will confess being unworthy. Precisely, God will work on our unworthiness. He will make us worthy. With our openness and obedience to God, we can do anything.
