Daily Gospel Reflection for September 3, 2015

Today's Gospel: Luke 5:1-11

Memorial of Saint Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church

Jesus climbs aboard Simon’s fishing boat and tells him to “put out into the deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” The fishermen have been out on the water all night and have caught nothing, so Peter understandably expresses his misgivings. “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing.” Then he decides, “But at your command I will lower the nets.”
Jesus is telling us the same thing He told Simon Peter: Throw out into the deep. Live the gospel. Be my light. Do my work. Follow me.
Like Simon, we have our misgivings: I’m not good enough. I don’t know how. I tried and nothing happened. I can’t. You’ve got the wrong person. Also like Simon, we have to let go of our fears and say, “But at Your command, I will…”
Jesus is in our boat, and He assures us that our catch will be plentiful. Our efforts, in His name, will be fruitful.

Ponder:

When our Lord asks you to cast your net out into the world and draw people to Him, what doubts and fears keep you from doing as He commands?

Pray:

Dear Lord, here where You have placed me, give me the grace I need so that I may faithfully cast my net into the ocean of humanity that is swimming aimlessly, longing to hear Your Word and longing for Your light.

We thank our friends at The Word Among Us for providing our gospel reflection team with copies of Abide In My Word 2015: Mass Readings at Your Fingertips. To pray the daily gospels with this wonderful resource, visit The Word Among Us.

Copyright 2015 Terry McDermott