Feb 10 2019 Reflection

Sunday 10 February 2019

First Reading: IS 6:1-2A, 3-8
Responsorial Psalm:
In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
PS 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-8
Second Reading: 1 COR 15:1-11
Gospel Reading: LK 5:1-11

Today’s Note: Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Reading:

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 the boats 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:

His grace to me has not been ineffective. (1 Corinthians 15:10)

God’s grace seems to be all over today’s readings, doesn’t it? It was grace that burned away Isaiah’s sin and turned him into one of the most important prophets in Israel’s history.

It was grace that stopped St. Paul dead in his tracks when he was on his way to imprison Christians and turned him into one of the greatest evangelists of all time.

And it was grace that brought Peter to his knees before Jesus and turned this brusque fisherman into a humble fisher of men and leader of the early Church.

Clearly, God’s grace was not ineffective in these men’s lives!

How about you? Can you point to ways that God’s grace has been “not ineffective” in you? It doesn’t have to be as dramatic as the conversions experienced by Peter or Paul or Isaiah. It doesn’t have to be dramatic at all! Of course, it’s wonderful when that happens, but God’s grace more often resembles a gently flowing stream than a mighty surging ocean.

For example, think about those times when you felt especially close to God during a Mass or in a time of prayer. That’s grace.

Or what about that twinge of conscience that led you to the confessional after a long absence? That’s grace.

Remember that time when you found it easier to forgive someone than you thought it would be? That too is grace.

Anything that brings you closer to God or moves you further from sin is the result of God pouring his grace into your heart. Anything that makes you more loving, kind, and compassionate comes from his grace. In fact, if you were to stop and review your day, you’d probably find that his grace was all around you.

Today is a new day and the beginning of a new week. Take advantage of this fresh start. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to all the grace that God has stored up for you this week. And when you find that grace, welcome it with your heart. Let it be “not ineffective.” 

“Jesus, teach me to open my heart to your grace!”