To Whom Do You Belong?

Daily Reflection September 4th, 2008

by Jim Egan, S.J.Jesuit Community

To Whom Do You Belong?

“All belong to you, and you to Christ, and Christ to God.” 1 Cor 3:23
“To the Lord belongs the earth and all that fills it.” Ps 24
“They left everything and followed Jesus.” Lk 5:11

Peter is called in three challenges. First, to share his boat with Jesus, then to cast his nets into the deep, and finally to accept the abundance of his catch in spite of his sinfulness.

Getting into the boat with Peter, Jesus asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Jesus’ words announced the kingdom in the words he had used at the Nazareth synagogue, “The spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, liberty for the captives, freedom to the oppressed ... ” Then Jesus dares Peter to cast his net into the deep. Peter obeys as did Abraham, Moses, and Isaiah when the word of God came to them.

The abundance of the catch unveils the mission and mystery of the church, the New people, Jesus is calling forth. Jesus has come to catch people in the net of God’s merciful love that they may be born together into a new life of joy and freedom. Peter and his partners are struck dumb with amazement and fear of the power that is the burning bush in the person of Jesus. He is transforming them. Peter’s converted heart is awakened to the joy of self abandonment. In freedom he and his partners leave all to follow him.

To whom do you belong?

Father, I abandon myself into your hands.

Whatever is your will I accept it.

I am ready for all. I thank you for all.

I ask only that your will be done

In me and in all your creatures.

I love you, Lord and

I so need to give myself to you.

With all the love of my heart

I abandon myself into your hands

Without reserve and with boundless confidence

For you are my Father ... my Father ... my Father.

Blessed Charles de Foucauld (adapted)