Into The Deep

I remember a brother shared the four elements of discipleship: (1) encounter, (2) conversion, (3) commitment, (4) surrender. In today's Gospel, those elements are very much present. I have previously posted a reflection on the same reading months ago and to highlight the four elements mentioned, here's the original text:

Verses 1-3: People come because they want to experience Jesus, they want to hear God's word, they want to be blessed. God called us for a very special purpose - that is to love Him and to make Him loved. Our mission is to share Christ and to make others experience what it's like to be loved by Him. (Encounter)

Verses 4-5: We are here because the Lord told us to do so. When the Lord tells us to do something, we need not argue, we can ask, but we simply need to obey and trust that Someone greater is in control. (Conversion)

Verses 6-7: When you say yes to God, expect two things: struggles (because we are following a man in conflict) and abundance (shared about how the Lord has surpassed even his long-forgotten prayers). (Surrender)

Verse 8: Everything is about God. It's not about our weaknesses but about God's strength; not about our sinfulness but about God's mercy and grace. (Surrender)

Verses 9-10: We are missionaries. And we will always be. That being said, the privilege of saying "no" to the mission has already been taken from us. Unfortunate? Remembering how the Lord has been faithful in providing for our needs, how He has been generous in giving us what is only the best, how He has been forgiving and understanding of all our mistakes and shortcomings, how He has loved us to the end, who are we to say no? (Commitment)

Verse 11: Deny ourselves, leave everything, and follow Jesus. It is the last thing mentioned because it truly is the most difficult thing. But in the end, it will be all worth it. (Commitment, Surrender)

More than being disciples, we are also called to be apostles. And in the readings today, we are once again invited to abandon our worldly wisdom, to prefer Jesus' way of sacrificial love, and to courageously put out into the deep and catch souls for the Lord. As St. John Paul the Great exhorted, "Duc in altum." May we allow God to take us into deep waters and strengthen us as we pull up a bountiful catch.

During our household last night, God whispered, "Fear not, I will strengthen you. Fear not, I will be with you." Now I understand why. :)

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