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Homily for Priests’ Retreat 2006

One is struck by the sheer humanity of this passage of Luke chapter 5: the Lake of Gennesaret, fisherman Simon (Peter), James and John, Zebedee’s sons, (Simon’s partners) a crowded shore, two empty boats, nets that were being cleaned, it was morning, they were fishing all night and caught nothing.

One can also sense the human tenderness of Peter who gives Jesus his boat, then, as he worked cleaning his nets, probably listened to Jesus preach. He probably thought to himself, “this Jesus actually has something to say! He offers something to others. He gives what He believes God wants Him to give. He is not afraid. This is how people ought to preach.” Simon probably kept these things to himself as he cleaned his nets and listened without letting Jesus know he was listening.

When Jesus had finished, he asked Simon, who objected at first, to “put out into the deep” in Latin: Duc in Altum (Pope John Paul loved this phrase.) Simon, after the huge catch of fish realized that he was in the presence of a holy man. The only thing he could say was “Leave me Lord, for I am a sinful man”. Isaiah said the same thing, “woe to me for I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips” (Is 6:5). St. Paul along the same lines, took it one step further saying “I have been crucified with Christ, and the life I live now is not my own, Christ is living in me. I still live my human life, but it is a life of faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2:20)

You and I, brother priests, after hearing confessions, or being at the bedside of one suffering, and listening to the sincere and honest openings of the hearts of God’s people, must say the same “Leave me Lord I am a sinful man”. “Woe to me”.… “the Son of God loved me and gave Himself for me!”

After hearing the words of Simon, Jesus directed him to move from the everyday world of fishing (he returned to that trade out of sorrow and necessity after Jesus’ death) to a new world, the Kingdom of God. He said to Simon Peter go “catch men.” Thus, the one who listened to God’s word as a fisherman, emerged as a preacher of God’s word, an apostle.

This is a tremendous success story, the greatest success story in the world. It is our story as well, brothers, as bishop and priests. It is sobering and humbling to realize this. We have been taken from nothing and made everything. We come from among men, yet by God’s call, His grace, and our free response we are made His followers. What can be greater than this? We hear the confession of others, yet how can we possibly be worthy? We too, along with Simon Peter, with all emotion and sincerity must also say with him, not only “Lord, I am a sinful man,” but also “Lord, to whom shall we go?” “Lord, you have the words of everlasting life…” “Lord, you know that I love you….”

It is this great mystery, our call and our unworthiness, that we are invited to ponder during this retreat. What a great privilege to be called to this priestly rank. Have I used this honor to His greater glory and to bring benefit to His Church? Have I been “Peter” for God’s people, a generous and faithful shepherd? Have I served Christ, even to the point of giving my life?

O Peter, faithful apostle of Christ, so human and so tender in your response to Christ, make me like you, a fisherman turned shepherd; a coward turned brave heart, a sinner turned penitent, so that I may follow Christ as you did now and forever. Amen.

 +Gregory J. Mansour

(Reprinted with permission.)