***
Peter came up short.
Although he’s a professional fisherman, he failed to make a single catch.
He must’ve been down in the dumps – the perfect time to meet the Christ.
Jesus will take Peter’s empty nets and fill them with souls hungry for God. “I will make you a fisher of men,” he says.
This becomes the first lesson Peter learns from Jesus: God will do for us what we cannot do for ourselves.
But first we must lower our nets.
***
How many of us have felt like Peter – inadequate, ill-equipped? As if we’ve worked hard all night and caught nothing?
***
Think of the thousands of teachers preparing for another school year – either virtually, in person, or both. Their students are coming, but some teachers feel like they have empty classrooms, empty nets.
Supplies are still on their way; cameras are still being installed for livestreaming; lesson plans are being adjusted on the fly.
Students and parents must be feeling nervous, too. Is it really possible to learn under such stress? COVID has thrown everyone off balance; it’s a year unlike any other.
This may be the perfect time to meet the Christ.
If we are willing, Jesus will provide the energy, the ideas, and the creativity we need to succeed. Like Peter, he will make us, “fishers of men.”
***
Will we lower our nets?
***
Trust that Jesus will do the rest.
Thank you Fr. Kevin for these homilies. I thank God each day for the talent He has given you and your efforts to share them with all of us. I miss the daily Mass but truly appreciate the efforts of Albert, Monsignor and you to provide it for us during this time of isolation. I was a long time parishioner of SC Church (49 yrs) but a now in Crane’s Mill Retirement community. All but one of the masses offered for my husband, Don, who died last Sept. 11 have been offered at SC church at the request of my many friends. I hope to attend one on 9/11 and 9/13 if I can get goingthat early.
Thank you again. Hope to meet you one day. Mary Dougherty
Thanks so much, Mary. God bless you!
Thank you Fr. Kevin for these homilies. I thank God each day for the talent He has given you and your efforts to share them with all of us. I miss the daily Mass but truly appreciate the efforts of Albert, Monsignor and you to provide it for us during this time of isolation. I was a long time parishioner of SC Church (49 yrs) but a now in Crane’s Mill Retirement community. All but one of the masses offered for my husband, Don, who died last Sept. 11 have been offered at SC church at the request of my many friends. I hope to attend one on 9/11 and 9/13 if I can get goingthat early.
Thank you again. Hope to meet you one day. Mary Dougherty