Catch men while you catch fish
In Luke 5:1-11, Jesus asks Simon Peter to pull his boat back from the shore so he can preach to the crowds that have followed him. When He's done preaching, he tells Peter to put out to sea to catch fish. If you remember, Peter explains that he's been fishing all night and caught nothing, but he'll do as Jesus wishes. Of course, they catch so many fish the boat almost sinks.
Simon is so astounded, he tells Jesus "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." Jesus simply says "Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men."
Nothing's changed these past two thousand years. When we work, we're catching fish. Some days are better than others - we catch a little more - others worse - we catch few or none. But every day we go and do our best to provide food, clothing and shelter - and maybe a few other things - for ourselves and our families. That's how most of us spend our working life.
But what about catching men? You didn't forget that part, did you? Maybe we can't be like the apostles Peter, Andrew, James and John. They "left everything" and follow Jesus. We've got our family responsibilities. Most of us have to keep plugging away at our daily jobs. But we can still catch men, i.e, spread the "Good News" of Jesus Christ to those around us.
Maybe you're thinking, "I'm no evangelist." True. But you're a Catholic man - at home and at work. Of course, you won't be preaching on the train or reading a passage from scripture to yor colleagues or co-workers. But there's much you can do.
You can set an example as a responsible and loving husband and father at home. Pay attention to everything that goes on, be "present" with your wife and kids while you're with them, never use bad language, control your temper - in short, be loving at all times. And if you slip once in a while, apologize. This way everyone knows you really care.
As for work, if your co-workers don't experience the Good News when they come into contact with you, where else will they experience it? People will know Christ through you - especially if they don't know Him themselves.
So keep catching those fish. But don't forget that you're catching men too.
Simon is so astounded, he tells Jesus "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." Jesus simply says "Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men."
Nothing's changed these past two thousand years. When we work, we're catching fish. Some days are better than others - we catch a little more - others worse - we catch few or none. But every day we go and do our best to provide food, clothing and shelter - and maybe a few other things - for ourselves and our families. That's how most of us spend our working life.
But what about catching men? You didn't forget that part, did you? Maybe we can't be like the apostles Peter, Andrew, James and John. They "left everything" and follow Jesus. We've got our family responsibilities. Most of us have to keep plugging away at our daily jobs. But we can still catch men, i.e, spread the "Good News" of Jesus Christ to those around us.
Maybe you're thinking, "I'm no evangelist." True. But you're a Catholic man - at home and at work. Of course, you won't be preaching on the train or reading a passage from scripture to yor colleagues or co-workers. But there's much you can do.
You can set an example as a responsible and loving husband and father at home. Pay attention to everything that goes on, be "present" with your wife and kids while you're with them, never use bad language, control your temper - in short, be loving at all times. And if you slip once in a while, apologize. This way everyone knows you really care.
As for work, if your co-workers don't experience the Good News when they come into contact with you, where else will they experience it? People will know Christ through you - especially if they don't know Him themselves.
So keep catching those fish. But don't forget that you're catching men too.
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