First Reading - 1 Corinthians 3:18-23
Gospel - Luke 5:1-11
In the first reading, Paul challenges the believers; the challenge is posed to belong to Christ totally or to know Him intimately. It is interesting to notice that Paul strikes out some prominent names (Cephas, Apollo, his own name even) in order to ascertain that they are mere instrumental to proposing Christ to the believers therefore they must assimilate and transcend from their knowledge to a personal relationship with Christ. He also underlines that the people, circumstances, and events of lives etc. who taught them about Christ are not as significant as Christ himself preached by them. Therefore, they must transcend from their knowledge of Christ to knowing him personally or belonging to him.
The gospel tells a beautiful account of the call of Peter, James and John. The call succeeds the preaching of Jesus and a great miraculous catch of fish. They (preaching of Jesus and miraculous catch of fish) were the means of encounter with Jesus for Peter, James and John. Their first encounter with Jesus was so impinging and impactful that they found themselves unworthy or sinful to face the presence of the divine, particularly Peter. This was the experience of unworthiness before a divine presence. However, with this unworthiness, he and others were called to a new life to lead others to the experience and encounter of God in Jesus.
Dear friends, in order to encounter the person of Christ firstly we are to know him. Both the readings of today are infact hinting at the invitation to encounter Christ personally or to belong to him. The first reading reminds us that there are various sources that can become instrumental in helping us to grow in this experience or knowledge of Christ, such as - people, life-events, the world etc. In the gospel, we see an event becomes a turning point for Peter and others to encounter Christ and recognise his divinity. Similarly, there are different things, people, and events which can become instrumental in our knowledge of Christ. Paul tells us that they are mere 'servants', hence it's important that we should grow in our relationship with the master and not be struck with mere knowledge of the master.
How do we encounter Christ in our lives? The encounter is not merely knowing about Christ but being able to be in a personal touch with him. How can this come about in us? If we are able to perceive Jesus like Peter. The experience of Peter is progressive. Peter sees Jesus in his boat, hears him preach, and obeys him to cast his nets. Are we able to see Jesus in our lives actively involved (the symbol of boat)? Are we able to hear him speaking to each one of us everyday? Are we ready to obey him like Peter to witness a great wonder in our lives? Certainly, they can help us experience with Peter the presence of the divine in our lives.
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