Catechesis At Home – Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time – Year C

When this week is no longer the current Mass, the readings for the Mass can be found here

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Fishers of Men

REFLECTION – Being Fishers of Men

The Apostles are called to be fishers of men. This is the story of Simon and Andrew, James and John, all fishing for their living, being called away from that to a mission of evangelization. Jesus asks for a radical change on their part. What made them ready to hear that call and answer it so readily? From what we can gather from the Scriptures, they had heard Jesus preaching for a while – they knew he was a holy man, full of wisdom and grace. He had been working on their hearts and when it was the right time, He called them to join His mission of sacrifice.

Jesus calls each one of us to a life of holiness, to live as He leads us, not as the world puts before us. When Jesus gives a sign, a miraculous catch of fish, to Simon and his colleagues, it is enough to wake up our first Pope to his own sinful nature. We all need that wake-up call, even if we see our fallen nature quite easily and readily. Jesus calls us to change our ways; to follow Him into all truth and righteousness, a life of grace and holiness and sacrifice.

It is not easy to follow Christ. It takes courage and persistence and all the other virtues, too, particularly agape or caritas – Sacrificial Love. It also takes help from others. We notice that Jesus as he walked the Holy Land did not call one person to follow Him, He called untold numbers! And out of those thousands who followed, He named twelve as His Apostles. The Twelve had a special mission of Love – leading and teaching and sacrificing when Jesus was no longer on earth. And those twelve passed on those roles and responsibilities to their successors – our bishops. Few followers of Jesus are called by Him to the special mission of priest and bishop within the structure of the Catholic Church. Yet, all of us in our baptism are called to be “priests, prophets, and kings” in our daily lives: How to be those three roles is summed up in what Jesus calls us to be as his disciples: Fishers of Men. And we are helped by Him and each other to accomplish this goal.

DISCUSSION – Fishers of Men Use the Best Bait​

How can we be fishers of men? What does that mean for you? Everyone’s “fishing hole” is different. Each of us has a different circle of influence. What is yours? Think of family, friends, fellow students, co-workers, parishioners, club members, teammates who are all in your circle. How can you be a disciple that fishes for men within these circles? What are some specific ways you can share the love of Jesus with others and invite them to have a relationship with Him?

Consider this: What kind of bait are we being? To truly be fishers of men, we must be good bait, or those whom we seek to catch for the Lord will find us unpleasant. Jesus holds the pole and we are the bait. Are we enticing, causing others to want what we have? Or are we demanding, inflexible, or careless and disinterested?

What does it mean to be good bait for the Lord?

ACTIVITY – Where Fishers of Men Go Fishing​

Try out one of the examples you came up with in the discussion. Encourage each other and hold one another accountable. Check in at dinner this week with one another and see how the conversation or example went.

Some examples if you are struggling to think of something:

• • Complement someone on the religious item they are wearing, and ask them where they worship or attend church. Open the relationship to possibilities of discussing your faith with each other.
  • Say grace before you eat in the lunchroom and make the sign of the cross. Be open to anyone who may ask you about why you do it, but also don’t be surprised if no one says anything. Silent witness with our actions can go a long way. It is great bait for the curious, casual passer-by. Someday they will nibble!
  • Invite your parent or child to pray with you for a specific intention.
  • Ask a fellow parishioner to pray for you AND offer to pray for them. Ask them what they need prayer for.
  • Offer to lead the prayer before a meeting or other gathering at church (youth group or faith formation class, too!) or a sporting event.

If someone asks you to pray for them, instead of saying, “I will,” stop and say, “Let’s pray right now,” and then lead them in a short, spontaneous prayer for their needs and intentions, ending with an Our Father and the sign of the cross.

DIG DEEPER – Other Fishers of Men resources from Holy Owned and Operated:

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Page: Prayer Basics
Podcast: How to Be a Disciple – Episode 42
Podcast: Taking Young Kids to Mass – Episode 14
TWMWU: Take Up Your Cross
TWMWU: Be Doers of the Word
TWMWU: Glorify the Lord By Your Life
TWMWU: The Lord Worked With Them

Complete resources on HolyOwnedAndOperated.com for these topics: Fishers | Sacrificial Love

How are you a Fisher of Men?