Today’s Gospel story celebrates Jesus’ second visit to fishermen as they worked. His first visit is recorded in Lk 5: 1-9. In each case, He came unexpectedly and unannounced. Both stories record how Jesus blessed the fishermen where they were, and give us Good News for our lives and work.
Today’s Gospel story, then, is more than a history lesson. It is our invitation to recognize Jesus’ commitment to be with us, everywhere to bless us.
First, both Jesus’ visits demonstrate His commitment to being with and blessing the fishermen, wherever they were. Their experiences with Jesus were so profound, we celebrate them, today. Our Good News is: what happened to them can happen to us.
Secondly, let us note the setting for both stories about the fishermen: the workplace. This is where they spent most of their waking time and energies. So, this is where Jesus went – and comes, today.
Today’s Gospel story is only one example of a workplace setting for Jesus and His ministries. The first example is a small group of shepherds, working the night shift outside Bethlehem. An angel invited them to meet Infant Jesus. When they met Him, they were so overwhelmed with joy, we feature their experience, every Christmas. Jesus also came to individuals. For example, He blessed the Samaritan woman at the well (John: 4) with joy, peace and courage to live and work in her society. Centuries later, we still celebrate how Jesus blessed her.
So what! Today, our workplaces include: school (students, teachers), home (parents, caregivers), office, factory, volunteer work, and a long list of etc. In each case, where we are, Jesus is. But, do we recognize this point?
Prevailing social and economic values are so compartmentalized, most workplaces ‘program’ us to exclude our faith as we work. But, as we turn from culture to divine reality, we find Gospel stories to encourage us to expect Jesus being with us everywhere!
‘Oh, but none of that ancient Gospel stuff will happen in my work!’ You’re right. It won’t – until we recognize and respond to Jesus being with us as we work, and the difference he will make in our lives. We are His beings, not workplace ‘factors of production.’
Today’s Gospel story, then, is more than a history lesson. It is our invitation to recognize Jesus’ commitment to be with us, everywhere to bless us. Isaiah 46:4 reminds us: “You made me, and you will carry me” Jesus, how can we be and work together, today?