From The Bishop

Saint John Paul II issued the Apostolic Letter “Novo Millennio Inuente” to mark the end of The Jubilee Year in 2000. In this document he states, “Duc in Altum (Lk 5:4). Peter and his first companions trusted Christ’s words, and cast the nets. When they had done this they caught a great number of fish (Lk 5:6)”. This is the same scripture passage we find in the Gospel of the Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time. Jesus asks these soon-to-be apostles to “put out into the deep” (Duc in Altum). He asks us to do the same. In order for this to happen we need to trust Him. Initially St. Peter was reluctant to follow the Lord’s advice because of his past experience. (“Master we have worked all night long but have caught nothing.”) It is only when he does the will of Jesus that he experiences an incredible catch of fish. Sometimes because of our own past experiences we begin to rely more on ourselves and less on the Lord. We may even allow our fears and limitations to prevent us from trusting in the Lord. In the First Reading this is certainly the case with the prophet Isaiah who believed he could not do the Lord’s work because he was a man of unclean lips. He trusted and he was cleansed. St. Paul in the Second Reading is also an example of one who initially believed that the he was unworthy because he persecuted Jesus’ followers. He also trusted in the Lord and was able to do great things. Both men were not afraid to Duc in Altum. Let us also ‘put out into the deep” by trusting in the Lord. When we do this incredible things happen.