February 7, 2010

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A PRAYER

My Lord God,
I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this You will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in trouble. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face perils alone. Amen. (Thomas Merton)

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life

Jesus gets into Peter’s boat.

Peter gets lots of fish!

The gospel for Sunday, February 7, 2010 is the Call of the First Disciples.  Luke 5:1-11

Peter and his friends fished all night and caught NO FISH. Jesus gets into Simon’s boat, floats out from the shore and continues to teach the crowds. When Jesus is finished, He tells Peter where and how to fish! Annoyed, yet Peter GOES and DOES what Jesus said. And guess what! Peter catches so many fish that he has to call others to help bring in the fish. Surprised, Peter falls to his knees and begs Jesus to “go away.” Jesus said to Peter, “Do not be afraid: from now on you will be catching people.” When they had brought their boats to shore, Peter, James and John, left the fish, boats, nets, and family to follow Jesus.

God calls everyone to follow him and to become the best person we can be. He calls some to  married life, single life, or religious life as the best way for them to become holy. Most people spend years sorting out what God is calling them to do and to be.

This is what makes this story such a WOW story.

Peter leaves all and follows Jesus after Jesus gets into his boat!

Will you let Jesus into your boat (or into your life)?