The Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (C), February 10, 2019 - Luke 5:1-11

 

Christ Calling the First Disciples

San Pedro Bautista, Candelaria, Philippines

photo, Ramon Velasquez

Winning Combination

He had the winning combination

That’s known by every congregation

When it’s alive and full of spirit

That shows when someone comes to visit;

They found that he was energizing

By doing two things quite surprising.

He simply knew what went unheeded,

And simply did what people needed;

For news from God is what they hungered -

In words both brave, and full of wonder!

Thus he proclaimed, his words the blessing

They then received upon their pressing.

And next, he showed them such astounding

Largesse around them, so abounding,

The efforts of th’entire gath’ring

Were needed to haul in, so stagg’ring

The bounty each and all provided

When by his steering they were guided.

Perhaps belief is overrated,

And God’s providing, understated;

So if you feel you’re catching nothing,

Announce the news that’s still so stunning:

Through all our hunger, wealth and sighing,

To each and all, Love’s here! Supplying!

Scott L. Barton

Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.