I am amazed by how Jesus performed a miracle for the fishermen to demonstrate His power and strengthen their relationship. He did not invite them immediately to follow Him and to help Him in the mission which the Father had entrusted to Him. He just showed His kindness and let them exercise their freedom to respond.

Many years ago, the same thing happened to my life. God did not call me immediately to the priestly vocation. He showed me first His love, mercy, the lack of harvesters for the harvest, and the beauty of the priestly ministry. He attracted me first and did not coerce me to respond to His call. As I go deeper into my spiritual life, He continues to reveal His secrets to me. He continues to purify me in this vocation and gives me the freedom to respond, for He also opens my eyes to see the beauty of other vocations such as married life, religious life, and single-blessedness.

At first, it was an attraction to the priesthood that I wanted to pursue, but later on, He challenged me to pursue holiness as well. Priesthood becomes an expression of love through serving His flock and not just a means for my salvation or satisfaction if I can achieve it.

In the Gospel, Jesus preached the Word of God to the crowd before He caught sight of the two boats. Jesus needs companions in His mission so He continues to call others who are willing to follow Him. They were fishermen, but He used their work as a metaphor and a stepping stone to their future ministry. How about you? Are you willing to give up everything for the Lord? Let us continue to examine our intentions in following the Lord.

By: Sem. Jose A. Cordova Jr.

Today’s Gospel

Lk 5:1-11

While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God,
he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret.
He saw two boats there alongside the lake;
the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets.
Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon,
he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore.
Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon,
“Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”
Simon said in reply,
“Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing,
but at your command I will lower the nets.”
When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish
and their nets were tearing.
They signaled to their partners in the other boat
to come to help them.
They came and filled both boats
so that the boats were in danger of sinking.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said,
“Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”
For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him
and all those with him,
and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee,
who were partners of Simon.
Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid;
from now on you will be catching men.”
When they brought their boats to the shore,
they left everything and followed him.