Sunday Gospel Reflection
5th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Luke 5:1-11 | Feb. 6, 2022
Discipleship: Getting Deep, Catching People, and Leaving Everything Behind
Carlo S. Dureza
The Gospel today seems drenched with images. Foremostly, water figures prominently as the sea is the story’s main setting. Then, fishermen fill the backdrop as they plod their boats and bodies in futile attempts to haul fish all throughout the night. Then Jesus commands them to “go into the deep”, which is to submerge themselves far deeper into the ocean for a catch.
The sea, fishermen, and fish: these are what represent discipleship in our Gospel. Each stand for the mission of perpetuating God’s reign on earth. Our world is the enormously vast body of water where struggles, wealth, people, and a host of life-giving opportunities abound. We all swim here and courageously get deeper to discover the bounty of living.
We are ocean-drenched fishermen who scour the depths of this world for a plentiful catch of its teeming resources. Fish are the brimming species created by our Lord, full of zest, that willfully wend their way to the large net which is the palm of God.
In choosing to be disciples of Jesus, we must desire fervently to nurture meaningful relationships with people. Let us get deep into their person, know them more clearly, be enjoined with their lives, and touch their hearts that Christ may enter them.
May we catch as many persons, as many fish in the wide expanse of water in this world and make disciples of them too. Fish have been symbolic figures of life in Jesus’ time. These have literally provided Him with vitality and nourishment as He did His ministry.
Lastly, as we answer the call to be disciples of Christ, may we be ready to leave our boats, the earthly source of false security, prosperity, riches, pleasure, and comfort to be with the true and everlasting peace, hope, joy, and love.
May we always remember that to be a disciple of Jesus is to leave everything for Him to have everything in Him.
Happy Sunday! God bless!!
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Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh from Pexels
