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Sunday Scripture Study

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle C

February 10, 2013

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Opening Prayer

First Reading: Isaiah 6:1-8

Psalm: 138:1-5, 7-8

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Gospel Reading: Luke 5:1-11

Between last Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 4:21-30)—when Jesus caused an uproar in the synagogue at Nazareth—and this Sunday’s reading, Jesus has been throughout Galilee and Judea (respectively, northern and southern Israel) teaching, casting out evil spirits, and healing the sick, including the mother-in-law of Simon (who would be called Peter).

This Sunday’s Gospel finds Jesus teaching on the shore of the Lake of Gennesaret, sometimes called the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 4:18) and the Sea of Tiberias (John 6:1). To accommodate the large crowds coming to hear him, he gets into a fishing boat (the one belonging to Peter) and teaches from there. This action was seen by the early Church Fathers as a symbol of how Christ teaches through the Church, which is often called the “Barque (or boat) of St. Peter.”

After finishing his teaching, Jesus directs Peter to lower his nets for a catch. Peter, an experienced fisherman, knows very well that it was not the time of day to catch fish. Out of obedience to Jesus, however he complies—with miraculous results.

QUESTIONS:

How did this miracle affect Peter? Why does it seem to have a more profound effect on him than the healing of his mother-in-law (Luke 4:38-39)? What is he beginning to grasp about Jesus? About sin? About belief in himself?

What do you think Simon Peter was thinking and feeling in verse 5? 7? 8? When was the first time, if ever, that you responded to Jesus like Peter did in verse 8?

Compare and contrast the scene from the Gospel reading with that found in the First Reading (Isaiah 6:1-8). How are the scenes similar? Different?

Peter asks Jesus to depart from him, “For I am a sinful man.” In reply, Jesus tells him not to be afraid. How often to feelings of unworthiness make you afraid to approach God? What do you do with that fear?

In your “fishing business,” how do you see Jesus: (a) Interesting, but a slightly irrelevant teacher? (b) Potentially a great business partner—if you could hire him to work for you? (c) The one who calls all the shots?

Catechism of the Catholic Church: §§ 208, 552, 765, 787, 849-852

“Put out into deep water!” Throw aside the pessimism that makes a coward of you. “And let down your nets for a catch.” Don’t you see that you, like Peter, can say: “Jesus, if you say so, I will search for souls”? -St. Josemaria Escriva