A sermon on Luke 5:1-11

By Fr. Mike Paraniuk
St. Mary Catholic Church
St. Benignus Catholic Church 
St. Mary Queen of Heaven
and Holy Trinity Catholic Church

Ten-year old Joey was excited to go to school this day. The theatrical director would cast children for parts in the annual school play. Joey bounded with confidence he would be chosen for a part. Mom was not so sure. She dreaded the director would reject Joey because he was different than the other students. Joey had Down Syndrome and mental disabilities.

He looked adorable with flaming red hair and freckles to match. Yet, kids can be cruel to someone who doesn't look like them. Even society can be cruel. 

It upset Joey's mom when others referred to her son as "suffering from," "is a victim of," "is diseased with" or "afflicted" by Down Syndrome. Some referred to Joey using the "R" word. She hated the way others spoke about him. Joey was simply her kid whom she loved as he is. She treated him no different than her other children.
 
Dread filled Mom's heart as she drove Joey to school. She feared the director would not offer him a part. He jumped out of the car eagerly hoping to be part of the play. 

Mom picked Joey up after school, bracing herself for the bad news. To her surprise, Joey ran to the car smiling from ear to ear. He was yelling "Mom, I got the part! I'm in the play!" 

Mom yelled out the car window, "What part did you get?" Joey beamed with pride as he said, "They chose me to laugh and cheer!"
 
The play director created a part just for Joey. He sat him at the left edge of the stage, right behind the curtain. Joey went to every rehearsal to practice cheering, laughing and clapping as loud as he could. Joey even consoled the other players when they made a mistake or messed up a line. He simply gave them a hug.

Cast members were invited for a curtain call when the play ended. Proud parents enthusiastically clapped for their kids. However, Joey was louder than them all, joyfully cheering for each actor.

The director introduced one special player the audience never saw. He said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, there is one other player whom you did not see but played the most important part of all. He kept our spirits strong through countless hours of exhausting hard work. He cheered us on to be the best we could be." 

He then said, "Joey, come on out!" Joey slowly walked to the middle of the stage. Thunderous applause broke out, starting with the cast who loved him, spreading through the entire audience. Joey got a standing ovation. 

He asked the director, "Is this all for me?" 

The director whispered, "All for you, Joey."

Just like the persons in Joey's life looked beyond his Down Syndrome to see the goodness in his heart, Jesus looked beyond Peter's sins to see his inner goodness. Peter could not look beyond his unworthiness. He could see the Divine God in Jesus which made him afraid. Peter feared God came to punish him. 

The word "astonishment" in Greek is "thambeo," which means "a sense of terror." Peter was so afraid, he begged Jesus to "depart from me." Jesus assured Peter, "I'm not here to hurt you. Don't be afraid." Jesus offers Peter friendship, not punishment. 

The Bible says we should fear God, but not be afraid of Him. He is not out to "get you." There is no "smite" button on God's computer. 

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." (Proverbs 9:10.) The fear of the Lord means to obey God with love. Jesus calls you to be His friend. Fear of the Lord means to not do anything that would separate your friendship with God.

May your friendship with God be so strong that others will see the peace it brings you and want that for themselves. That's how you catch them for Jesus. Happy fishing.