Memorial of Saint Gregory the Great, Pope, Doctor

I am getting to the age where my retirement from over forty years in accounting is looming. I’ve worked hard to provide security for the “fourth quarter” of my life, and I’m now struggling a bit to let go of the reins!

I think that is a bit how Simon Peter must have felt in our Gospel reading today. Simon was an accomplished fisherman who had been out fishing all night and caught nothing. Jesus’ request for Simon to “put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch” must have gone completely against all of Simon’s vast fishing wisdom. And yet, Simon chose to trust Jesus. His response was, “…at your command I will lower the nets.” And just a few minutes later, Simon took an even bigger leap of faith, leaving everything to follow Jesus and become a fisher of men.

The Cross of Christ is a complete challenge to our human reason: God will overcome sin and death by allowing his Son to be put to death. It makes no human sense, but “the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God.” (1 Corinthians 3:19.)

The lesson for us is not to let our human wisdom put limitations on what God can do in response to our faith and trust. God is not limited by what we think is possible!

As we contemplate our role as the Body of Christ today, can we let go of the reins and take Jesus at his word when he bids us to attempt the impossible?

Let Us Pray:

Lord God, help us to trust in you with our whole heart today and to lean not on our own understanding. Thank you for the assurance that as we trust in you, submit to your ways, and seek your guidance, you will lead us on a straight and purposeful path. We surrender our plans, desires, and ambitions to you, knowing that your ways are wiser than ours. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.