CALLED TO BE FISHERS OF PERSONS
Entrance Antiphon: cf. Psalm.95:2–3
Proclaim the salvation of God day by day; tell among the nations his glory.
Collect
O God, who chose the Bishop Saint Patrick to preach your glory to the peoples of Ireland, grant, through his merits and intercession, that those who glory in the name of Christian may never cease to proclaim your wondrous deeds to all. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: 1 Peter 4:7b-11
Beloved: Keep sane and sober for your prayers. Above all hold unfailing your love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. Practice hospitality ungrudgingly to one another. As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who utters oracles of God; whoever renders service, as one who renders it by the strength which God supplies; in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Responsorial Psalm 96:1-2a,2b-3, 7-8a, 9-10ac
R. (v.3) Tell among all the peoples the wonders of the LORD.
O sing a new song to the LORD; sing to the LORD, all the earth. O sing to the LORD; bless his name. R.
Proclaim his salvation day by day. Tell among the nations his glory, and his wonders among all the peoples. R.
Give the LORD, you families of peoples, give the LORD glory and power; give the LORD the glory of his name. R.
Worship the LORD in holy splendour. O tremble before him, all the earth. Say to the nations, “The LORD is king.” he will judge the peoples in fairness. R.
Gospel Acclamation Mark 1:17
Glory and praise to you, O Christ. Follow me, says the Lord, and I will make you become fishers of men. Glory and praise to you, O Christ.
Gospel Luke 5:1-11
At that time: While the people pressed upon Jesus to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret. And he saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.
Prayer over the Offerings
Rejoicing in the gif of faith, O Lord, we bring you these offerings; grant that through the prayers and examples of St Patrick, our lives may be united to Christ our saviour in a holy sacrifice of praise. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon Lk.22:29-30
I confer a kingdom on you just as my Father has conferred one on me, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, says the Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Receiving, almighty Father, the Body and Blood of your Son, we have known a foretaste of the heavenly bequeath; grant that in communion with St Patrick and all our forebears in faith, we may be true to your commandments on earth, and so share eternal joy in heaven. Through Christ our Lord.
Prayer over the People
O God, founder and ruler of your people, drive away the sins that assail them, that they may always be pleasing to you and ever safe under your protection. Through Christ our Lord.
Commentary
One feature which is characteristic of prophetic call narratives in the Old Testament is the fact that those called recognize their inadequacies with regard to the mission which is to be carried out. In the case of the call of Isaiah, in Isaiah 6, he recognized that he was a man of unclean lips. In the call of Peter, something similar happens. Peter recognized his sinfulness before Jesus after the enormous catch of fish according to the call found in Luke’s Gospel. We have also read in the lives of some saints, like St Patrick whose feast we celebrate today in Nigeria, how they recognized their shortcomings or sinfulness in their path to mystical perfection. When God stands before us to call us or invite us, the contrast could be confounding. However, a recognition of this contrast is a truly powerful mystical experience that could launch us firmly into the path of mystical perfection. Recognizing our sins is not a self-esteem problem but a divine gift that invites us to perfection.
Blessing
If the Lord can use anything to accomplish the mission of his kingdom among men and women of this world, like St Patrick, ask him and avail yourself, that he can use you. May the feast of this day strengthen you in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
St Patrick – Pray for Us!