Standard Deviations

Gospel: Luke 5: 33-39

In every religious tradition there is always a group that sets itself as the standard around which all others must conform and submit.  Their behaviors and attitudes are the ones by which all other people are judged.  Such is the case in today's Gospel portion where the Pharisees and followers of John the Baptist state that they fast and pray, making the behavior of Jesus' disciples unacceptable in their view because the disciples are not doing what these self-proclaimed guardians do.  

In our own time such groups are prominent.  They call themselves "Bible believing Christians" and "Faithful Catholics".  They have selected a few things from the scriptures and tradition that are acceptable to them - ignoring a great amount in the process -  and have made it the alleged "non-negotiables" of faith life.  Their own behaviors and attitudes are then used to judge all other people.  Hypocrisy does not bother them since they are the self-proclaimed guardians and criteria of belief and practice.  

The only standard and criterion of faith is the Lord Jesus himself.  The Christian life is a constant reading and reflection on the Gospels of Jesus in order to pattern our lives on his alone.  We deviate widely from The Way when we set ourselves or others up as the standard of faith.  Jesus alone is the Way of authentic faith and living.  Today is a day for us to commit to a daily meditation on the Gospel so that we might be illumined and divinized by the life of the Lord Jesus.

Going Fishing

Gospel: Luke 5: 1-11

Anyone who has ever gone fishing knows the enterprise is utterly unpredictable.  One day could be very successful with a large catch of fish, while another day will yield nary a bite.  Success cannot be predicted in advance, nor can any meaningful planning for such be undertaken.  Even the most seasoned anglers will be frustrated at a day of no catches, and great rejoicing ensues at a great catch of fish or at the catch of a very large one.  It is the nature of things in the world of fishing.

In today's Gospel portion the disciples spend all night fishing without success.  We can hear and appreciate the frustration and disappointment in Peter's voice when he explains this to Jesus.  In spite of this night of failure, Jesus tells him to try one more time.  Overcoming his fatigue and incredulity, Peter and the others try one more time, and they catch so much fish they are stunned.  They see in this event a sign that has them put their faith in Jesus.

A good fisherman has faith in good times and in bad.  The angler's faith is not dependent on the whims of the fish but on a complete acceptance of whatever takes place on the waters.  So it must be in our life of faith.  We are graced with blessed moments of success that are often rare, and God is present in those moments to be sure.  But God is also present in the moments of drought and lack of success.  Authentic faith is present in both moments.   

A Model Response

Gospel: Luke 4: 38-44

Following the events in the synagogues, Jesus then goes to Simon Peter's house where he heals his mother-in-law of an ailment.  Her response to the healing becomes the model against which all other responses to healing are examined.  Peter's mother-in-law simply rises from her sick bed and serves others.  She does not go about "witnessing" or "testifying", telling others about her healing.  She simply gets to the work of serving others.  

From there, Jesus goes out to towns and villages throughout Galilee healing people of their infirmities, liberating people from their demons, and feeding people at table.  In these journeys we will encounter many people who encounter Jesus, most are nameless like Peter's mother-in-law.  In every encounter Jesus tells people who are healed not to talk about it to anyone.  Jesus invites them to follow him in the way of service - all things found in this healing at Peter's house.  

These encounters throughout the Gospels invite us to reflect on our own encounters with Jesus and with others.  Have we followed the model of discipleship in this unnamed woman, or are we like so many in the Gospels who do not listen to Jesus, creating frenzied crowds rather than authentic responses of humble service to others?  Each passage of the Gospels, each encounter with another person, invites us to this reflection and response.