Doc.434

Doc.434

Scripture: lectionary 434: Colossians 1:9-14. Psalm 98:2-3.3-4.5-6. Luke 5:1-11

“The Lord has made known his salvation.” Our Psalm Response is Psalm 98:2 and it helps guide us through the readings for today which again is the Good News of our salvation through Jesus Chirst. The epistle is leading us up to the greatest of the Pauline Christological Hymns which will focus on who Jesus is. The faith has to be strengthened by the apostle Paul’s preaching (the kerygma or Good News of Jesus).

The narrative of the Gospel about the great catch of fish on the Lake of Galilee confirms the apostle Peter in his call and then is extended to his two co-workers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. It is Peter who takes the initiative to do what Jesus tells him. The catch of fish is so great that it needs both the boat of Peter and that of the sons of Zebedee to haul it in. It is the greatest “fish story” ever told! Peter is thoroughly moved by the miracle that he is led to acknowledge his limits and sins This event confirms him in his call to be an apostle. He experiences what we learn from our Psalm Response: “The Lord has made known his salvation.”

The interaction between Jesus and the three disciples is a formative one in which they are learning what it means to follow the Lord and to experience his power of healing and salvation. The miraculous catch is simply a confirmation that Jesus has such authority that extends even over nature. The Lord will make these men “fishers of men (and women)” who will help confirm the fact that the Lord is making known his salvation.

Paul, in the Epistle to the Colossians, is praying and forming those who have embraced the Good News of Jesus. They are growing in their faith commitment just as the original apostles grew in their union with Christ and in doing the Father’s will. We are their successors and are called to attain the full knowledge of God’s will through perfect wisdom and spiritual understanding or insight. These gifts come to all believers in Jesus through the Holy Spirit who kindles within us the fire of divine love and total commitment. We are then, like the apostles, ready to bring the Good News about Jesus to others. Like Peter we realize our limits and our sinfulness but we are confident Jesus has redeemed us and saved us from our sins. Again, the Psalm Response confirms us in our commitment for “The Lord has made known his salvation.” We are made stronger in our faith and bolder in our witness to Jesus. Joy is felt within us even though we experience hardships, suffering, and oppression, We acknowledge with trust what we know:”The Lord has made known his salvation.