Introit: Ps. 27:1a, 11-12, 14; Ps. 27:7, 9

Gradual: Ps. 84:9, 8

Old Testament: 1 Kings 19:11-21

Psalm 16 (antiphon, v. 11)

Epistle: 1 Cor. 1:18-25

      or 1 Peter 3:8-15

ProperVerse: Ps. 21:1

Gospel: Luke 5:1-11

Jesus Makes Fishers of Men

The Lord called fishermen to be fishers of men (Luke 5:1_11). The net they would use is the message of the cross, which is foolishness and a stumbling block to the world (1 Cor. 1:18_25). The power of God to save is not in spectacular signs like wind and fire and earthquakes (1 Kings 19:11_21), nor is it to be found in human intelligence and wisdom. The power of God to save comes in the still, small voice of the preaching of Christ crucified. In worldly darkness the disciples could catch nothing. But in the light of Christ, whose Word was attached to the water, the boats were filled with fish. So it is that in Baptism you have been drawn in to the ship of the Church. Though the nets are breaking and some who hear the Word do not believe, pastors continue to cast the net of the Gospel and the Sacraments, that Christians may abide in the boat of the Church and that we may be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks a reason for the hope that is in us (1 Peter 3:8_15).