Epiphany 5C
February 10, 2019

St. Luke 5:1-11 - NRSV

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

5 Once while Jesus[a] was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, 2 he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” 11 When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.

Footnotes:

1. Luke 5:1 Gk he

Epiphany 5-C

February 10, 2019

Embark

Launch into the deep

Into the city streets

And down deep to rural towns

Where poverty abounds.

How shallow is the Church

In kiddie pools of mirth

Singing praise songs of delight

While the world is in a dark night.

Enough of shallow waters,

Superficial songs, no liturgy

God mandates deep seas

Where the oppressed are set free.

Mile long puddles inches deep

Where God’s people dabble their feet

To gather and remain so meek

And from the Gospel retreat.

Time is now, O Church,

Time is now, launch into the deep.

Immerse in waters of new birth

Awake from your long sleep.

Copyright @2019 by Kenneth Storck

May be used with permission

kennstorck@gmail.com