Luke 5:1-11

First, some socio-historical data. To fish for a living was the equivalent of a self-employed “day worker” in today’s society. Without means to process fish or refrigeration, it was hard work for little return. You didn’t exactly put fish in pottery out back and then distribute it when you have time or the market conditions warranted a higher return. It was daily work for daily pay, enough to live on for that day, but no more. It is interesting to catch the setting – Jesus was teaching. The fishing setting is completely secondary to those who came to hear the “word of God,” an interesting reference to Jesus’s teachings. Notice that the fishing work day was over, and that Simon has to go back out to the job.

What is Simon’s response to the heavy catch? Why? How does Jesus respond? What would be the goal of the fishermen leaving everything and following Jesus? Why does following Jesus call one to call others to follow as well?

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

This is one of my favorite Scripture passages. What is “the gospel” or “good news”? On what authority does Paul proclaim this good news? Why is it significant that Paul is the least of the apostles, unfit to be called the gospel? What would it be to come to “believe” this good news? Why is what Paul calls the “good news” really “good news”? Why would Paul want to transmit this good news to others?

Judges 6:11-24a

This is a really fun story in the OT. God calls Gideon a “mighty warrior” while he is hiding threshing grain in a wine press so as not to be found. Describe the conversation between Gideon and the “angel of the Lord”? How does this passage foreshadow what Paul describes in 1 Corinthians and the call of the fishermen? What do you notice about the overall pattern? How is this significant?

In closing, on the basis of these readings, discuss how we can be “fishers of humans” better in our congregation. The following is a quote from Joseph Ratzinger that seems appropriate. What do you think about this quote?

“This is why we are searching for, along with permanent and uninterrupted and never to be interrupted evangelization, a new evangelization, capable of being heard by that world that does not find access to "classic" evangelization. Everyone needs the Gospel; the Gospel is destined to all and not only to a specific circle and this is why we are obliged to look for new ways of bringing the Gospel to all.
Yet another temptation lies hidden beneath this -- the temptation of impatience, the temptation of immediately finding the great success, in finding large numbers. But this is not God´s way. For the Kingdom of God as well as for evangelization, the instrument and vehicle of the Kingdom of God, the parable of the grain of mustard seed is always valid (see Mark 4:31-32).
The Kingdom of God always starts anew under this sign. New evangelization cannot mean: immediately attracting the large masses that have distanced themselves from the Church by using new and more refined methods. No -- this is not what new evangelization promises.
New evangelization means: never being satisfied with the fact that from the grain of mustard seed, the great tree of the Universal Church grew; never thinking that the fact that different birds may find place among its branches can suffice -- rather, it means to dare, once again and with the humility of the small grain, to leave up to God the when and how it will grow (Mark 4:26-29).”

Have a wonderful evening!