March 17th, 2023

The Holy Gospel according to Luke (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 they 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.

Reflection:  Today, we get a break from the Lenten weekday Gospel.  Today is the Memorial for St. Patrick, Bishop.  The Gospel is from the readings for the Optional Memorial of St. Patrick.  A little about St. Patrick.  Patrick was born in Britain of a Romanized family.   At age 16 he was taken by Irish raiders from the villa of his father and carried into slavery in Ireland.  He was a slave for 6 years, during which time he returned with fervor to his faith.  After escaping slavery in Ireland, Patrick spent the next 20 years acquiring education and practical skills so he could return to Ireland as a missionary witness to God.  During this time he became a cleric.  He eventually returned to Ireland as a Christian missionary and began to spread the Word of God.  In a real way, St. Patrick lived this Gospel for today.  He “put out into deep water and lowered his nets for a catch.”  Patrick took Jesus’ words “do not be afraid” to heart.  He returned to the land of the people that had enslaved him.  As they say, the rest is history as many came to know Jesus Christ through his witness.  This Gospel also speaks to us today.  We also have to get out of our comfort zones, in other words, put out into deep water, and evangelize others.  We cannot be afraid to be witnesses for Jesus.  As followers of Jesus, this is our calling.  With God’s grace, we can imitate St. Patrick and bring others to know the love of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.   

Action for the Day:  I encourage you to look up and pray St. Patrick’s Breastplate: the prayer of Ireland’s patron saint.  This prayer has come down through the centuries and remains popular today.  Oh, and as you pray, have a pint of Guiness. 

Audio Reflection:

Happy St. Patricks Day