EXPLORE THE SUNDAY GOSPEL
The Call of Simon the Fisherman
While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening
to the word of God,
he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret.
He saw two boats there alongside the lake;
the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets.
Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon,
he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore.
Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon,
"Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch."
Simon said in reply,
"Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing,
but at your command I will lower the nets."
When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish
and their nets were tearing.
They signaled to their partners in the other boat
to come to help them.
They came and filled both boats
so that the boats were in danger of sinking.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said,
"Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man."
For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him
and all those with him,
and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee,
who were partners of Simon.
Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid;
from now on you will be catching men."
When they brought their boats to the shore,
they left everything and followed him.
MEET OUR EXTENDED FAMILY
Sts. Cosmas and Damian (Feast Day September 26)
d. 287
Cosmas and Damian were twin brothers born in present-day Turkey. Cosmas and Damian both became doctors who cared for the sick, in body and in soul. They refused to take money for their services, and in addition to treating their patients for illness, they preached the Gospel as they worked. Many people were converted to the faith because of them. At that time, Diocletian had begun to persecute Christians, and the twins were summoned and executed. After attempts to burn them, drown them, and crucify them, Cosmas and Damien were beheaded. Cosmas and Damian demonstrate that when we are open to God's grace, he can use our profession to build the kingdom of God! They are patron saints of pharmacists, doctors, surgeons, and barbers.
TAKE TIME TO CHAT
Jesus tells Peter to put the boat into deep water and lower the nets, even though he has been fishing all night and caught nothing. What do you think Jesus was trying to teach Peter?
In today's Gospel, Jesus tells Peter not to be afraid. Jesus doesn't want us to be afraid, either. What is something that you are afraid of? How can you give that fear to Jesus?
Jesus tells Peter that from now on, he will catch men, meaning that he will bring people to Jesus. We are all called to do the same. How can your family bring more people to Jesus?
Sts. Cosmas and Damian served people who were sick. Share a time when you volunteered your time to help others. How did that make you feel?
FAMILY FUN
Make a Fishing Pole
Like the fisherman in today's Gospel, we are called to bring people to Jesus. This activity will help you fish like the apostles.
Supplies for each fishing pole:
1 piece of cardboard
1 stick or dowel about 12 inches long
Construction paper or card stock in various colors
Hole punch
Thin ribbon or string
Using the cardboard, create a fish template. For each pole, trace and cut out three fish using the construction paper. Use the hole punch to punch a hole in the location where the fish's eye should be. On each fish, write the name of a person you want to bring to Jesus. Cut three pieces of ribbon. Attach the fish to the ribbon and tie the ribbon to the pole. See the Family Challenge for what to do next!
Go Fish: Alternatively, play Go Fish with a deck of Cards!
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
Banana Boats
The apostles filled both boats with fish. This recipe fills bananas with sweet treats!
4 small bananas
⅓ cup semisweet chocolate chips
½ cup miniature marshmallows
Preheat oven to 300º. Slit each banana lengthwise through 1 side of peel, taking care to avoid cutting all the way through banana. Stuff each slit with chocolate chips and marshmallows. Wrap each banana in aluminum foil, place upright on a baking sheet and bake until chocolate and marshmallows have melted, 10 to 15 minutes. Unwrap and serve immediately.
FAMILY PRAYER
Listen and Reflect
As a family, listen to the song Fish with Me by Ken Canedo
Reflect on the lyrics and how they connect to today's Gospel.
LITURGY LINK
The white cloth used to wipe the chalice after someone drinks from it is called a purificator.
When do you see it used at Mass?
FAMILY CHALLENGE
Each day this week, pray for the people you "caught" on your fishing pole. Ask God to open their hearts to receive the Good News of Jesus and for the opportunity to talk to them about your faith. If you did not make a fishing pole, pick three people to pray for in this manner. You might also wish to make a special Valentine's card for each person youare praying for.
FUN FACTS
The musht, a type of tilapia, is generally identified as the fish that Peter caught, to such extent that natives to the region refer to it as"St. Peter's fish." It was one of the most commonly caught fish of the biblical era, and hauls of them would be brought in by net.
