Daily Readings - Thu Sep 07 2017

First Reading - Colossians 1.9-14

⁹For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;¹⁰That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;¹¹Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;¹²Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:¹³Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:¹⁴In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Gospel - Luke 5.1-11

Luke

Chapter 5

¹And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,²And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.³And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.⁴Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.⁵And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.⁶And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.⁷And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.⁸When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.⁹For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:¹⁰And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.¹¹And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the transformative power of God’s will and the call to live a life rooted in faith and surrender. In the first reading from Colossians, St. Paul prays for the community to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will and to live in a way that is pleasing to Him. He emphasizes the importance of spiritual strength, patience, and gratitude, for it is through these virtues that we grow in holiness and share in the inheritance of the saints. The passage reminds us that our ultimate rescue from darkness comes through Christ, who has transferred us into His kingdom of light. In the Gospel, Luke recounts the miraculous catch of fish, a moment that reveals the divine power of Jesus and the beginning of the apostles’ journey of discipleship. Simon Peter and his companions, exhausted from a fruitless night of fishing, are met with an abundance of fish after obeying Jesus’ command. This miracle is not just about the fish; it is about the profound transformation that occurs when we surrender to God’s will. Peter’s humble acknowledgment of his sinfulness and Jesus’ assurance to him, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men,” mark the turning point. The fishermen leave everything behind to follow Jesus, demonstrating the radical commitment required to live out the Gospel. These readings challenge us to examine our own lives. Are we open to the transformative power of God’s will, even when it calls us out of our comfort zones? Like the apostles, we are invited to trust in God’s providence, even when the results seem uncertain. The moral lesson is clear: true discipleship requires surrender, humility, and a willingness to let go of our own plans to follow Christ. As St. Paul reminds us, we are called to live in a way that is pleasing to God, bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of Him. May we, like Peter, James, and John, respond with faith and courage to the call to follow Jesus, trusting that He will lead us to a life of purpose and fulfillment.