Sept 1: Fishers of People

Jacopo Bassano: The Miraculous Draught of Fish
The National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., 1545

Thursday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel: Lk 5:1-11

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people (NRSV, Lk 5:10b).”

Father, in every moment in every place you call each of us to grow in your life. Your Word, ever present at the depth of the being of each of us, challenges us to say “yes” to your summons. There is only one way in which we can answer that invitation: by accepting the gift of your love, Lord, and sharing it with our sisters and brothers. There is, Father, no other way to grow in you than by loving our fellow human beings. Flight from the world, Father, to be alone with you is not an option because the one life that you share with each of us is shared with all who will accept it. We are all one with you, called each of us to grow in you as we grow in one another. To leave everything to follow you, Lord, is finally to embrace all around us.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.