B
BarbaraTherese
Guest
Readings
usccb.org/nab/readings/033008.shtml
Meditation
wau.org/meditations/meditations.asp?month=3&day=28&year=2008&x=9&y=2
You’ve no doubt seen “before” and “after” pictures in advertisements.*** Imagine if you could see how discouraged Peter looked when he came back empty-handed after fishing all night.*** Then, see his face after he caught an entire boatload of fish, and realized that the inspiration came from Jesus. He was so excited that he jumped right into the water without removing his clothes. All he could think of was seeing Jesus again, and celebrating his enormous catch by sharing a meal with his brothers. Talk about a changed outlook!
This is more than just a lesson in how to change our attitudes, however. It’s also about the relationship between revelation and evangelization. Without Jesus, Peter wasn’t a very good fisherman. But when he met Jesus, he got excited. Not only could he fish, he was motivated to follow his real calling—to become a “fisher of men” (Matthew 4:19). And knowing that Jesus was behind him all the way drew Peter even closer to the Lord and made him even more enthusiastic about fulfilling his mission.
The same is true when it comes to our own efforts at evangelization.
“Lord Jesus, send me out into the world with the same confidence you gave Peter and his companions. Let me share their excitement in bringing in a harvest for your kingdom!”
usccb.org/nab/readings/033008.shtml
Meditation
wau.org/meditations/meditations.asp?month=3&day=28&year=2008&x=9&y=2
You’ve no doubt seen “before” and “after” pictures in advertisements.*** Imagine if you could see how discouraged Peter looked when he came back empty-handed after fishing all night.*** Then, see his face after he caught an entire boatload of fish, and realized that the inspiration came from Jesus. He was so excited that he jumped right into the water without removing his clothes. All he could think of was seeing Jesus again, and celebrating his enormous catch by sharing a meal with his brothers. Talk about a changed outlook!
This is more than just a lesson in how to change our attitudes, however. It’s also about the relationship between revelation and evangelization. Without Jesus, Peter wasn’t a very good fisherman. But when he met Jesus, he got excited. Not only could he fish, he was motivated to follow his real calling—to become a “fisher of men” (Matthew 4:19). And knowing that Jesus was behind him all the way drew Peter even closer to the Lord and made him even more enthusiastic about fulfilling his mission.
The same is true when it comes to our own efforts at evangelization.
And that excitement will draw us closer to him, so that he can reveal himself even more and send us into the world empowered all the more.
Then, like Peter, we’ll want to celebrate with Jesus—and with our new brothers and sisters!
“Lord Jesus, send me out into the world with the same confidence you gave Peter and his companions. Let me share their excitement in bringing in a harvest for your kingdom!”
Deo Gratius!