Deacon Larry

 

September 3, 2009

Thursday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time

Col 1:9-14; Lk 5: 1-11

Dc. Larry Brockman

Don’t you feel it- the good news, the news that you have been delivered from the power of darkness and transferred to the Kingdom of God?  Yes, you.  You may be having problems with your job; overwhelmed with the demands of your children; suffering from the aches and pains of older age; or pre-occupied with what your going to do after you leave here today.  But this good news is still for you and you should feel it! 

The Apostles felt it.  Just imagine yourselves in their shoes.  You have fished all night-  and you are an expert- a professional- but nothing.  And then you go out one more time at Jesus command, and, Walla, so many fish that they nearly sink two boats.  The gospel says “they left everything and followed him”.  So yes, they felt it.  They felt personally touched by the nearness of God; by the power of God; and by the reality of the one God of the universe calling them in person to follow him along his footsteps.  They somehow put the concerns they had over job, family, health, and duty into proper perspective.  The direct encounter with God was so important to them that they did that. 

Now later in the Gospel, we hear about Peter’s mother in law, for example.  So it isn’t like these Apostles abandoned or totally discounted family, health, job and duty.  Rather, they were able to get the proper perspective on life, a perspective that Paul addresses in the first reading:  They were motivated to seek the knowledge of God’s will.  They were able to walk in a manner pleasing to Him; and through knowledge of God, they were strengthened by the power of God to learn endurance and patience.  This way of life led them to Christian joy.  It was a joy that all of the problems and trials of life, when these problems are experienced as a Christian, could not be taken away from them.  It is a joy sealed by the certain knowledge of their membership in everlasting life through Jesus. 

In a few moments, you are going to have a real encounter with Jesus.  He will become present to you in the Eucharist.  He is making the same promise of everlasting life to you in the living word that we just read, so rejoice, and feel the joy, because life, no matter how burdensome it may seem, is worth it.   

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