Our readings today are about emptiness and abundance.

In our first reading, Paul is writing from prison to the Christian community in Colossae. Paul had heard that the Colossians, who had at one time been strong in their faith, were now vulnerable to deception about the faith. From the day Paul heard about the Colossians’ struggles, he unceasingly prayed for them, asking that they be filled with the knowledge of God’s will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding, to be fully pleasing, strengthened with every power, for all endurance and patience. Paul wanted to convince the Colossians that they only needed Christ. Christ alone is fullness and abundance, satisfying every need and making us fully holy.

In our Gospel today, Simon is just plum worn out. He’d been fishing all night and had nothing to show for it but an empty boat and empty nets. After such a rough night, Simon must have been more than a bit miffed when Jesus plopped himself down in Simon’s boat and asked him to put out a short distance so that Jesus could teach the crowds. And then to ask Simon to put out into deep water and lower his nets for a catch – how much more of this could Simon take? But Simon’s willingness to follow Jesus’ commands resulted in gifts beyond measure – not only an abundance of fish, but also the gift of a full and abundant life as a fisher of men.

Saint Peter Julian Eymard reminds us to “fix your mind on the Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament and ponder on His love. Let this thought take hold of you; let it enrapture you. ‘What! Is it really possible that our Lord loves me to the point of always giving Himself to me without ever growing tired?’”

How can I make an answer for so much love?

Let Us Pray:

Jesus, I thank you for the abundant blessings from your hands that provide all I need.