COMMENT ON THE LITURGY OF THE FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
Collect
Grant, O Lord, we beseech thee, that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by thy governance, that thy Church may joyfully serve thee in all godly quietness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Readings
1 Pt 3:8-15; Lc 5:1-11
Comment
The fame of Jesus as a teacher spread to the point that a large crowd, near the lake of Gennesaret, gathered around him. People find in him something more than what the doctors of the law could offer. Thus testifies Peter who calls him "Master", a term that here is related not with the term didaskalos, but with espistàtes, that is, not simply one who imparts lessons and teachings, but a teacher that testifies and guides people with his own life.
Peter puts his empty hands before Jesus, after the long night in which he toiled with his companions in fishing. Jesus accepts this profession of helplessness and at the same time of faith ("«at your word I will cast the nets»") - transforming poverty into abundance ("they caught an enormous quantity of fish and the nets broke").
The amazement of Simon Peter and his companions, James and John, is such that immediately leads them to leave everything to follow Jesus. The new mission to which the Lord calls them does not cancel their identity, but perfects it and expands its scope: from fish fishermen, they will become fishers of men.
So the grace also, when acts in us, respects what we are, our abilities, and our attitudes; but calls us to put everything at the service of a broader mission, that of evangelization.
The characteristics of this net are explained in the first letter of Peter which highlights the need for harmony - so that the meshes are firmly connected to each other - and for participation in each other's joys and sorrows, or rather of compassion, suffering together as one body in Christ. Fervent in doing good, we will be able to gather people around Christ.
The letter of Peter then quotes Psalm 34, which exhorts to "keep the tongue" - holding them back from words of wickedness and deceit - and to pursue good by seeking peace, in order to "see happy days". In the new evangelical perspective, this promise extends from the individual to the Church and to the whole world, taking on an eschatological perspective, referring to the last times, when the seeds of the kingdom will sprout the fruits of justice, awaiting the fulfillment of history.
The horizon of a world that has finally been restored may seem difficult to see. Human attempts to hasten its coming have always been disastrous. His continual withdrawal from our reach calls us to cultivate a faith like Peter's after the long night of fruitless toil, animated by hope and hardworking charity. The Spirit of God guides us with his breath; we are only asked to trust in the word of the Lord, unfolding the sails, to take to the sea and cast the nets.
- Rev. Dr. Luca Vona
