Luminous Mysteries / Today’s Gospel: Finding our place

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Today’s Gospel: Luke 5:1-11

1. Jesus’ Baptism “‘I am baptizing you with water for repentance, but the One Who is coming after me is mightier than I.'”

John knows his place – he proclaims from the start that he is just the herald; he is ready not just to give way to his Lord, but he uses his energy in making a way for Him.

2. Jesus shows His glory at the wedding feast “There was a wedding at Cana, and the Mother of Jesus was there.”

On this day, Jesus and Mary were just guests at the wedding. The couple, even though their names are lost to history, at this time take centre stage. Mary and Jesus quietly ensure that all goes well for the couple. Jesus turns water into wine in humble service, with the result that only His disciples and the servants were aware of the miracle.

3. Jesus proclaims the gospel “‘This is the time of fulfilment.'”

Jesus tells us when the time is at hand. Wherever we are and however we feel, Jesus will make use of us if we let Him. Like Peter in the gospel, who had spent all night unsuccessfully trying to catch some fish, we must be ready, inspite of our own fatigue, and our own “better” judgement, to seize God’s Day, to adopt the role that He has for us, to become “fishers of men.”

4. Jesus’ transfiguration “Jesus took Peter, John and James, and went up the mountain to pray.”

Jesus chose some disciples for higher positions than others. If we are left at the bottom of the mountain, without spiritual consolation or visions, no matter – we must be ready for whatever work the Lord calls us to do. In any case, all is honour for us, for like Peter in today’s gospel we can say, “Depart from me Lord, for I am a sinful man.”

5. Jesus gives us Himself in the Eucharist “Jesus said, ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father, except through Me.'”

It was hard for the people at the time to accept Jesus as the Messiah, just as it is hard for us today to accept the office given to Jesus’ ministers in the Church today. No one can come to Jesus except through the sacraments – the Eucharist, and perhaps most difficult for us, confession. And yet, approach Jesus we must, in the Way clearly marked out for us.

Dear Jesus and Mary, help me to find my place in Your plan of salvation. If You choose not to favour me with special messages, please give me the grace to develop a disciple’s ear, always trying to listen, to hear You as Isaiah did on a gentle breeze, and to spend time with You in the humility and silence of the Eucharist. May I be humble and obedient like Peter, ready to go to work at Your call.