off-shore drilling
"Pull out a short distance." —Luke 5:3
Before Jesus commanded Simon to "put out into deep water" (Lk 5:4), He "asked him to pull out a short distance from the shore" (Lk 5:3). There Jesus "continued to teach the crowds from the boat" (Lk 5:3). We need to spend some time hearing God's word to have faith (see Rm 10:17) deep enough to "put out into deep water." The Lord has "much more to tell" us, but we "cannot bear it now" (Jn 16:12). However, when the Holy Spirit teaches us God's word (see Jn 14:26) and produces the fruit of faith in our lives (Gal 5:22), we will be ready to hear God's word, obey it, and abide in it (Jn 8:31). Then we will know the depth of Christ's love (Eph 3:18).
When we humbly welcome God's word in our hearts (Jas 1:21), the Lord will feed us not only with milk but with meat (Heb 5:13-14; 1 Cor 3:2). When we are faithful in small things, the Lord will entrust us with greater things (Lk 16:10). When we put out a little into the shallow water where we hear His word, we are preparing to plunge into "the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ's love" (Eph 3:18). Hear God's word; take the plunge.
Prayer: Father, give me the experience of the morning of Pentecost so that I can live the afternoon of Pentecost. May 120 Christians lead 3,000 into Your kingdom today (see Acts 1:15; 2:41).
Promise: "Ever since we heard this we have been praying for you unceasingly and asking that you may attain full knowledge of His will through perfect wisdom and spiritual insight." —Col 1:9
Praise: Mary faithfully begins her day by reading and praying the Scriptures for daily Mass.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, February 22, 1999
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 24, 1999