𝘿𝙐𝘾 𝙄𝙉 𝘼𝙇𝙏𝙐𝙈 – DIGGING DEEP
Introduction
Duc in altum – put out into the deep! Jesus’ sole mission consisted and still consists in teaching people the right way to worship God; how to relate with one another; how to relate with the entire creation; how to live a better and fulfilled life; how to manage authority; how to build a happy and successful family; how to attract God’s blessing; what to do to avoid God’s anger; how to interpret and actualize the law; how to obtain salvation and eternal life; and so many other things. Jesus transforms every place into a classroom. He knew the crowd were really like sheep without honest and prepared shepherd, hence, he tries to fill the gaps in their lives with and through his exceptional and spirit-filled teachings, often rejected by those in authority.
Put out into the deep
“When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch. And Simon answered, Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets” (Luke 5:4–5). Peter and his companions have toiled the whole night, but could not make any catch. Jesus ignored them and started teaching. It was after the teaching that he ordered Peter and his companion to put out his net into the deep water, that is, to lower his net for a catch. If we were to be Jesus, we would have acted differently. We would have speculated on why Peter and his companions could not make any catch. But Jesus ignored him and started teaching. What did Jesus teach the crowd, Peter and his companions?
Conclusion
This Sunday Gospel offers us the opportunity to re-examine what we do, how we do it and why we do it. As the psalmist says, unless the Lord builds the house, labourers labour in vain and unless God watches the city, in vain do watchmen stay awake (cf. Ps 127:1). Let us learn to labour with God, in God and for God. Duc in altum means aim high, go deeper. It is an invitation to avoid superficiality. Peter and his companions toiled the whole night without catching any fish. In like manner, many religious leaders especially Christian leaders toil every day without making any impact on any soul because they rely on their mere human capacity. Although they make effort, but the effort they make is personal and selfish effort aimed only at enriching themselves. To catch fish, Peter must listen to Jesus and put his net into deep water and in the right direction. Similarly, to win people for God, Christian leaders must abandon selfishness and greed for material accumulation and listen to Jesus. They must start thinking about the people instead of thinking about themselves.
FOR DETAILS, GET YOUR OWN COPIES OF THE BOOK “THE WORD OF LIFE: SUNDAY REFLECTIONS” (vols. I‑II-III)!! The reflection for the 5th Sunday of the year © is found in vol. III pages 106–116. Happy reading!
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