Gospel Reflection for Sunday February 6th, 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time By Brian Maher OMI
Luke 5:1-11
In the early Church stories about Jesus were the only way people could learn what Jesus said and did. People gathered in their homes, often in secret out of fear of the Jewish authorities or the Romans, to hear stories about his life, to share together a fellowship meal, and to celebrate together the hope and joy of his death and resurrection.
All of us know that when something of any significance happens in the world or even in our lives, many different accounts of the event will quickly circulate, each of them giving a slightly different perspective, possibly adding or exaggerating some details to enhance its meaning. For life changing events, like the story of a man who died and rose from the dead and was then seen and talked to by those who knew him, the credibility of the storyteller becomes absolutely crucial to the telling of the story.
All kinds of stories were in circulation about the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. There were stories of earthquakes and volcanoes, of armies of angels seen in the skies over Jerusalem, of Jesus coming from the tomb dressed in white, wearing a crown, with an archangel on either side, striking dead the Roman soldiers sent to guard the tomb.
What to believe? Who to believe? What actually happened? Who was this man? These became hugely important questions for the first Christian communities leading to much discussion, argument, and in some cases, actual conflict.
In the midst of all this energy, questioning, confusion and excitement the men and women who actually knew Jesus, who walked with him, heard him and saw him, stood out as beacons of light. Being invited to a house when one of these eye witnesses was talking meant hearing the stories of Jesus at first-hand. To be able to say, “James told us this himself…” or “I was there when Peter said this…” gave the story the stamp of truth and authenticity.
The Apostles held the highest places in the ranks of eye-witnesses. Not only were they with Jesus when he taught the crowds, healed the sick, told the parables, but they were also privileged to be with him in his ‘off’ times, his private moments. They were his ‘soul friends’. With them he shared his own prayer, his moments of doubt and pain, AND, they were the first witnesses of the resurrection.
We can imagine, then, why it was so important in the early Church that those called to be Apostles by Jesus were clearly identified and the stories of their call recorded.
Today’s Gospel is one of these stories. If we close our eyes we can almost see a group of men and women listening in rapt attention as a visiting eye witness tells the story of the call of Peter, James and John.
The story is placed in the context of a miracle (catching a huge haul of fish), but it is not the miracle which is important here but the fact that Jesus himself singles out these three fishermen and calls them to follow him.
Beautiful, personal details are included showing a special closeness to those he is calling. “He got into one of the boats – it was Simon’s – and asked him to put out a little from the shore.” Jesus, alone with Peter in his boat, asking a favour of him. How those hearing this would long to meet Peter and hear him talk about ‘his friend’ Jesus.
All four Gospels tell the stories of Jesus calling his Apostles in slightly different ways. In John’s Gospel the call happens where John the Baptist is preaching. In Matthew and Mark Jesus is simply walking by the lake when he sees and calls them to follow him. Today, in Luke’s Gospel, the context is the miracle of catching the fish.
Some critics, who like to question and doubt the truth of the Gospel story, will point to these stories and claim they contradict each other, and therefore cannot be true.
But no! the place and the detail are no more than the container for the story, and the container is not important. What is crucial, what is essential, is what is found inside the container.
What does it matter whether Jesus calls his closest companions while listening to John the Baptist, or walking by the lake or sitting in Peter’s fishing boat after a wasted night’s fishing? That’s just the container.
What is true, what is important, what is essential is that these men are called by name to follow him. What is true, what is important, what is essential is that all of them responded to the call of Jesus in an open and faith-filled way. What is true, what is important, what is essential is that they committed themselves wholeheartedly to Jesus and his message, “…they left everything and followed him.” All four Gospels are clear and unambiguous about this.
This is what those first hearing these stories will remember. It is what those first telling these stories will say to them: “…you, too, are called by the Risen Lord, by name when you are baptised, to follow him; you, too, are asked to respond, like Peter, James and John, in an open and faith-filled way; you, too, are called to commit yourself wholeheartedly to the message of love and forgiveness brought to us by Jesus; you, too, must, in your own heart, leave everything and follow him.”
As you listen to the Gospel this Sunday, close your eyes and imagine that you are there, hearing this story for the first time, told to you by an eye witness, and, with your eyes closed, try to hear Jesus say to you…..
“….When you were baptised I called you by name, I made the sign of the cross on your forehead as a sign of that call to follow me. Please, I ask you this morning, as I asked Peter, James and John, simple fishermen, to say yes to my call. I ask you, as I asked them, to commit yourself to be my witness in the world; Leave everything, do not hold back as you love, forgive, be gentle and walk with compassion with everyone you meet.”
Many thanks,
Brian.
If you have any comments, questions or thoughts on this scripture reflection you would like to share, I would be delighted to hear from you – please feel free to email me at b.maher@oblates.ie
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