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. LK 5:1-11
The Word of God in the Scriptures is living and effective. It is timeless. Today, we can put ourselves in the place of the Apostles. Jesus Christ is calling us to leave everything behind and follow Him. What is our purpose? What were we made for? To learn your identity you must sit in silence in the presence of God and speak with Him. You must recognize your gifts and talents, your skills. You must listen to those around you that see certain talents in you physically and spiritually. We each have a spiritual talent or charism of the Holy Spirit as well. God wants us to know His will, you are here in this place with these people to become holy. Those crosses you bear from your own failings or those shortcomings of others are opportunities for grace (St. Josemaria Escriva). What does it mean to leave everything and follow Him? On Sunday, September 4th, Blessed Mother Teresa will become St. Mother Teresa. She says, “I used to pray that God would feed the hungry, or do this or that, but now I pray that he will guide me to do whatever I’m supposed to do, what I can do. I used to pray for answers, but now I’m praying for strength. I used to believe that prayer changes things, but now I know that prayer changes us and we change things.” A journalist once asked her, “What has to change in the Church?” Her answer: “You and I.” She also adds, “Bring love into your home. It is easy to love the people far away. It is not always easy to love those close to us. It is easier to give a cup of rice to relieve hunger than to relieve the loneliness and pain of someone unloved in our own home. Bring love into your home for this is where our love for each other must start.” And finally, “Wherever God has put you, that is your vocation. It is not what we do but how much love we put into it.”
To leave everything and follow Jesus is to desire what Christ wants, to die to self, and clothe ourselves with Him for others. It begins in our homes!
Today’s challenge: Look at the nearest Catholic bookstore or online to purchase a book on Mother Teresa that fits your age. Take time to learn something from this modern saint who change so many lives and be inspired to leave everything behind and follow Christ.
Be a servant, become a saint!
#Christian YOLO
Heart, Fight, Trust
Pray for me and my family as I pray for you and yours!
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