Lectio Divina Meditation for 5th Ordinary Sunday

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, February 7
“The Call”

1. Lectio
Luke 5:1-11
1 One day Jesus was standing on the shore of Lake Gennesaret while the people pushed their way up to him to listen to the word of God. 2 He saw two boats pulled up on the beach; the fishermen had left them and were washing the nets.
3 Jesus got into one of the boats – it belonged to Simon – and asked him to push off a little from the shore. Jesus sat in the boat and taught the crowd.
4 When he finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Push the boat out further to the deep water, and you and your partners let down your nets for a catch.”
5 “Master,” Simon answered, “we worked hard all night long and caught nothing. But if you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 They let them down and caught such a large number of fish that the nets were about to break. 7 So they motioned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. They came and filled both boats so full of fish that the boats were about to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw what had happened, he fell on his knees before Jesus and said, “Go away from me, Lord! I am a sinful man!”
9 He and the others with him were all amazed at the large number of fish they had caught. 10 The same was true of Simon’s partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.”
11 They pulled the boats up on the beach, left everything, and followed Jesus.

Lectio Comments
The story of Peter’s call in Luke’s gospel is different from that in the other gospels. It gives details that point to how Jesus calls someone who does not feel he is worthy or qualified for the job. It appears that Peter has failed to catch any fish in this story. He considers himself a failure but Jesus sees beyond his failure. Jesus chooses Peter not because he is the perfect candidate but because Peter is fully aware of his own unworthiness. Jesus challenges Peter to move beyond his comfort zone, to “put out into the deep”, in other words, to take the risk of believing in God’s grace and providence.

2. Meditatio
1. Use your imagination to take the place of Peter in this story. Imagine the sea and the beach. Imagine the waves, the smell of the sea and the gentle breeze. (Pause)
2. Like Peter, it is you who have failed to make a catch. It is you who have decided to give up and walk away. (Pause)
3. Then imagine Jesus coming to you and challenging you to go into the boat and “put out into the deep.” What are some of your fears? Do you fear failure again? Do you fear being laughed at or criticized? (Pause)
4. Imagine the rest of the story, what happens? What happens when Jesus is in the boat with you? (Pause)
5. Now, imagine Jesus looking straight into your eyes, and calling you by name (Note for Leader: if possible, speak out the names of the members of the BEC present or at least some of them). Hear Jesus speak these words to you, “Do not be afraid, from now on you will be catching men.” (Pause)

3. Oratio
Lord Jesus,
Fill my heart with love and compassion
for those who do not know you or follow you.
Help me never forget your special call for me
in spite of my unworthiness and sinfulness.
May I be a good witness of your truth and salvation
to my family, friends and co-workers.
Amen

4. Contemplatio
Contemplate by using this phrase as a mantra (silent chant):
“Here I am Lord, send me!”

5. Actio
1. Personal Life – Take time to reflect on how God is calling me to serve him – in my family, my work place, my school, my BEC, my parish, society at large.
2. Communal Life – Reach out to someone or a family that may have kept away from the parish/ BEC for some time?