Reflections on the Readings
5th Sunday in ordinary time February 7, 2016 - Year C
The 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dennis S. Hankins
Fishers of Men
Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid, from now on you will catch men. (Matthew 4:19)
Jesus used the catch of a great number of fish to help Simon and and his partners to understand the deeper life of the kingdom mission that he was calling them to embrace. This mission is the calling of every baptized Christian.
Our mission is to invite the children of the first Adam into
the kingdom of life and love. Risen from the dead, Jesus has entered into his glory and stands at the entrance of the kingdom as the Door to welcome us and those we invite into his kingdom.
The kingdom is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, ( Romans 14:17)
We are ambassadors of Christ, filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, telling others about Jesus and his Kingdom. To those perishing in the darkness of Satan's lies, we invite them into the kingdom of light where darkness has no power.
We pray in the kingdom with words filled with hope: Thy will be done on earth as it in heaven. Our priority is to seek first the kingdom and a right relationship with God. All are welcome here—the lost and the least.
In the Kingdom we know each other as brothers and sisters in Christ, for whom Christ died while we were yet sinners. Our mission is filled with hope for ourselves and our neighbor. In the kingdom our faith lays hold of the promise of new life in Christ.
Other characteristics of kingdom life that we should also note include: community life—with many members united in faith and love, where manifestations of the Spirit are grace gifts we share for the common good.
In the kingdom we are protected from the devil who goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Here we bear one another's burdens.—fulfilling the law of Christ's love.
In the kingdom we receive sound teaching about God, ourselves, and love that covers as multitude of sins.
Let us embrace the kingdom, seeking it first, knowing God shall supply us with all we need and will cover us with his merciful love!
With joy and thanksgiving, share what you have received, to make Christ known. Why? Because God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, so that anyone who believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Let us make known the riches of Christ, for the world still needs to hear from you and me that there is a new and living way through Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life—of his kingdom there is no end.
The witness of the early church had as it's foundation in the things Jesus said and did. They were eyewitnesses of His resurrection. And their conviction and creed was Jesus is Lord—over their past, their future, over death, and sickness—declaring Jesus to be the Son of God with power—the same yesterday, today and forever.
Consider writing out your testimony of what Christ means in your life, and share it with family and friends. Someone may come to love Jesus as you do!
The gates of hell shall not prevail against Christ's church—So Let us therefore be fearless to speak, to pray, and to worship in his name. For there is no other name whereby we can be saved. ( Acts 4: 12).
Let's be open to the Holy Spirit, who is given to us to fill our witness of Christ with his powerful love! For from now on you will be fishers of men. Amen & Amen!!
Dennis Hankins is a parishioner at Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral, of the Diocese of Knoxville, TN. Prior to uniting with the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil 2006, Dennis served as a priest in the Charismatic Episcopal Church. E-mail Dennis at: dennishankins@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter: @dshankins or visit him at: www.dennishankins.com
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