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| A typical busy day at Gen. Santos City Fish Port |
Our Gospel for
today (Luke 5:1-11) is one of the favorite biblical passages vocation promoters
or animators love to use---the call of Peter.
Peter’s personal encounter with Jesus transformed him from being a fisherman
into becoming a fisher of men. Peter left everything and followed Jesus.
We can also find
this call of Peter in the other three Gospels. Matthew and Mark’s version, much
like the Lucan account, takes place by the Lake of Galilee or Gennesaret and
around the time Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law. In the Gospel of John, although, it was not
mention specifically, Peter’s first encounter with Jesus also happens near a
body of water, when Andrew, John the baptist’s disciple, pointed to his brother
that he found the Messiah. We remember that the cousin of Jesus, John baptizes
at the Jordan River that runs to the Sea of Galilee.
Indeed, to be
mentioned in the four Gospels means that Peter’s call and encounter with Jesus
by the sea, truly plays a significant role in his life as a disciple and as the
future leader of Jesus’ companions.
What’s in the sea?
The sea is a place
where you can find, one of the most faith-filled and bravest people---the
fishermen. Working in a fishing community at Holy Cross Parish, Calumpang, Gen.
Santos City for almost 8 years, I met countless fishermen whose lives depend on
their faith in God. Anything can happen
drastically and dramatically while they are out in the seas for months, and for
some, even years. They might have a good catch one day, and nothing on other
days. Still another day could be a scorching sunny day and then a destructive
storm or catastrophic wind would follow. One day, you see your co-worker
healthy and happy and then you see him died of heart attack the nest day. Some
would even fear of getting imprisoned in other countries even they have
necessary legal papers for fishing in the international waters. Faith element
is so important to fishermen.
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| This boat-shaped facade of Holy Cross Parish Church, in Gen. Santos City symbolizes the main livelihood of the community---fishing. |
Putting out into
the deep waters requires a deep faith. This “Duc it altum” could mean a total
trust to God who is sending us to a place untested, unknown, unfamiliar, maybe
of great risk, and beyond our comfort zones. We are not accustomed to deep
waters. Normally, we would stay in the shallow waters where we are safe and
secured. We sometimes escape challenges. We avoid risks. We are afraid to make
a stand that is unpopular.
An Argentinian
priest Father Luciano Felloni, the parish priest of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish,
in Camarin, Caloocan City, made a strong stand against the extra-judicial
killing nowadays. With a heart for the poor, Fr. Luciano used to minister in
the slum and poor communities of Payatas dumping site. Now, Fr. Luciano, with
his public campaign for healing instead of killing drug addicts, pushers, and
the like, still takes a stand, no matter how unpopular it is, for life and
mercy.
One comforting lesson
we can learn from today’s Gospel is that Jesus accompanies Peter as the latter
sails to the deep waters. Jesus’s presence was there. Paul, in our first
readings, even describes this presence more intimately: “You are Christ’s and
Christ is God’s” (I Cor. 3:18-23). Jesus, making us his own, will make us
braver. His presence will make us stronger.
Are you willing to
allow Jesus to stay in your boat? What invitation did you receive from Jesus lately?
Let us pray. Jesus, you have called each of us by name. Help
us to be brave in facing difficulties in our lives. Increase our faith in you
when the sail is unknown, unfamiliar, and unclear. When waves are overwhelming,
calm my heart. When the catch is few, still help me to believe that you have a
greater plan for me. I anchor my life in you. Be with me in my sail. This we
ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
