Fr. Rick’s Three-Minute Homily for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

February 9, 2025, Luke 5:1-11

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020925.cfm

Put out into the deep water.

When Simon Peter woke up the day he saw Jesus on the seashore, he never had a clue that his entire life would be transformed. He had a whole new purpose to live for; a new meaning that went far beyond the miraculous catch of fish. It goes beyond any one thing the Lord can do for us, such as something we may ask for in prayer.

A life-changing encounter with Jesus taught Peter two things: first, Jesus had to knock Peter out of his comfort zone, and second, Peter had to step into Christ’s comfort zone.

And we see how Jesus is a master at this—He tells Peter, “Put out into the deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Peter, the CEO of his own fishing company, knows you don’t catch fish in broad daylight. By looking at him, inviting and challenging him, Jesus is pushing Peter out of his comfort zone.

That’s the 1st step of transformation. Now the 2nd step. Peter actually obeys Jesus. Notice that he doesn’t obey because he understands: Nor does he obey because he can figure it all out. No, he obeys because Jesus is issuing the command. “Master, at your command I will lower the nets.”

Peter is definitely outside his comfort zone and risks stepping into Christ’s comfort zone. “Because you want it, Lord, I will do it.”

A while back in Mexico, a wealthy executive was kidnapped [his name is Bosco Gutiérrez Cortina]. The kidnappers wanted to extort a large amount of money from his family. They kept him in a room without windows or clocks. They repeatedly piped in the same hour-long music mix. They communicated with him only through written notes.

After a few days of this, his nerves were completely raw. Then they gave him a note asking him if he would like a drink – whatever kind he wanted. He couldn’t believe it. A ray of hope. He wrote down his favorite cocktail. Then he waited. All he could think about was the drink. He started to fantasize about it, to dream about it. It became his idol.

When they finally brought the drink, he held it like a treasure. He smelled it. He gazed at it. He imagined what it would taste like, building up his anticipation to the maximum. A strange thing happened when he was about to take his 1st sip. He heard a voice in his interior. Somehow, he later said, he knew it was God’s voice. It said, “Give me the drink. Offer it up.” He couldn’t believe it. All his energy, attention, and hope had been focused on that drink. He just stared at it, wanting it. He heard God’s voice again, “Offer me the drink.” He battled with himself interiorly. Finally, he realized that if he took the drink, he would be giving in to the kidnappers. If he gave it to God, he would be asserting his own dignity and integrity.

He gave it to God, but he did not drink it; he poured it out. From that moment on, he began to recover his interior strength. Eventually, he actually escaped.

Gospel Challenge!

“Put out into the deep water.” The deep water of the gift of faith is full of every treasure we need in this life. What is your deep water of faith that gives Christ the freedom to rule your life? Struggle with that question this week and obey his voice. “Master at your command I will lower the nets.” Before we follow Jesus, we must trust him, for in his commands lies our reassurance and security.

Love Your Neighbor!

Peace be with you!

Fr. Rick Pilger, IC

www.bcchurch.com