Replies

Sunday Scripture Study

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle C

February 10, 2013

Click here for USCCB readings

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

Making the Most Out of Lent

Pastor’s Column

5^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

February 10, 2013

Perhaps some of us are just a bit dismayed that Lent has arrived so early this year (I am)! Yet there is no other six week period in the spiritual year when the majority of us together are working on something with the Lord. We don’t want to miss the opportunity of Lent and the great gift it represents in our walk with Christ. Every year I ask the Lord the same question: What is that special project that you and I are going to work on together this Lent, Lord?

The real question in the spiritual life is always how well we really know ourselves. Only the Holy Spirit can guide us into that which needs renewal this year and can give us fruitfulness in dealing with it. So at the beginning of Lent, it is imperative that we pray for an enlightenment from the Spirit to see ourselves as we really are, both our virtues and what is impeding our relationship with God, because a Lenten sacrifice has so much power before God. What is out of balance in my life?

Spiritual Nourishment: What is nourishing my soul, or impoverishing it? Is the media in my life out of balance, to the detriment of prayer? Do I visit websites or see movies that do violence to my walk with Christ? Lent is a time to balance this out with Lighthouse CDS (we sell them in the vestibule), good Christian media, books, and a greater emphasis on the family. We all recognize that we will become ill if we eat poorly, but many do not recognize spiritual poverty.

Prayer: How do I pray? Mass will be fruitful to the extent that I have an outside relationship with God through prayer. By attending or at least reading the daily mass scriptures each day we will become ever closer to the thoughts of Christ. A good way to receive the daily Mass readings is by using this website: www.dailygospel.org. In addition, Jesus is always waiting for us in the Blessed Sacrament. In our parish, we have the great gift of having a chapel always open for you. Lent is an opportunity to try a new form of prayer: the Rosary, Lectio Divina, centering prayer, meditation, the possibilities are endless.

Almsgiving: Reviewing tithing of time and talent is always appropriate for Lent. Is there a particular area of my life where God wishes me to be more generous? In what way am I being called to live the gospel in concrete external ways? All of us, one way or another have a mission in life for others: family, friends, strangers, co-workers, schoolmates, enemies. Tithing is one way to fulfill this mission, and there are many others.

Fasting: The best fast is to fast from some sin that has become habitual! Is there an area of food or drink that has become unbalanced or addictive? Is God calling on me to take steps to break this habit once and for all? Perhaps the whole future depends on it! Fasting makes room for God. Voluntary fasting helps us when life deals us with fasts that we don’t choose.

Father Gary