Daily Gospel Reflection

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September 7, 2023

Thursday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
Lk 5:1-11
Listen to the Audio Version

While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God,
he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret.
He saw two boats there alongside the lake;
the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets.
Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon,
he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore.
Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon,
“Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”
Simon said in reply,
“Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing,
but at your command I will lower the nets.”
When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish
and their nets were tearing.
They signaled to their partners in the other boat
to come to help them.
They came and filled both boats
so that the boats were in danger of sinking.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said,
“Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”
For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him
and all those with him,
and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee,
who were partners of Simon.
Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid;
from now on you will be catching men.”
When they brought their boats to the shore,
they left everything and followed him.

Reflection

Brad Springfield
ND Parent
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Growing up in a rural area where we raised our own livestock and produce, the challenging work and resilience of the fishermen in this passage remind me of the tireless efforts my family and I put in to provide for ourselves. Like the fishermen toiling all night, long days of gardening and working livestock were imperative. In hindsight, my childhood was filled with challenges, yet we persevered like the fishermen.

When Jesus instructs Simon to try again by casting the nets into deep water, I understand Simon’s initial doubt. Like him, I have known the disappointment of putting in arduous work and seeing little in return. But Simon’s decision to trust Jesus and follow his guidance reflects the importance of faith and taking calculated risks, something my family often did just to sustain.

The bountiful catch of fish and the fishermen’s reaction resonates with the moments of abundance and gratitude we experienced on the farm. There were times when our efforts yielded much, and our land provided for us. These instances filled us with awe and humility, recognizing that we were merely stewards of the land and its blessings.

Additionally, the keen sense of community among the fishermen, as they signaled for help from their partners, mirrors the amazing relationships I still have with my brothers today. In our family, we relied heavily upon each other for support and assistance, just as the fishermen did on the water.

Today, may we each be reminded of the values instilled in us from our shared Notre Dame family—demanding work, faith, resilience, and gratitude. These principles have shaped who I am, and I pray they continue to guide all of us in navigating life’s challenges so that we may recognize our blessings.

Prayer

Rev. Neil Wack, C.S.C.

Heavenly Father, you have given us all that is good. You constantly call us to put out into the deep in service to you and to one another. Give us the courage to listen to your commands, and to be fearless in our baptismal call to holiness. Help us to find ways to serve rather than to be served, even if those ways may be small or unseen by others. May we be faithful in our vocations to do your will rather than our own, and make you known, loved, and served. Amen.

Saint of the Day

St. Cloud

St. Cloud was the son of French royalty—caught up in political machinations that cost his brothers their lives, he fled the court to spend his life handing on the faith.

Clodoald—or “Cloud” as we know him in English—was the youngest of four grandsons of the great king Clovis, and his grandmother was St. Clotilde. After Clovis died, his kingdom was eventually split among his grandsons, and because they were too young to rule, the country was governed by an uncle.

When Cloud was 8 years old, the ruling uncle fell into a scheme to dispose of these heirs and to assume the kingship for himself. Cloud escaped, but his brothers were killed.

When he matured, Cloud made no claims to the throne, and sought out the life of a hermit. He became a follower of St. Severinus, a hermit who lived near Paris. Later, Cloud moved to Nogent and the place where he settled is now called “Saint-Cloud” (a sister city in Minnesota bears the same name). He spent the rest of his life teaching the faith to people who lived nearby and was sought out for his advice. When it was clear that his attempts at solitude were not working, he followed the wishes of the people and returned to Paris, where he was ordained a priest and led the faithful. St. Cloud died in 560 when he was 36.

St. Cloud, you fled a murderous, political family and found a life of faithfulness and service—pray for us!