The sailing ship or fisherman’s boat was an ancient Christian symbol for the Church. The Barque of Peter sailing on a wind-tossed sea of worldliness, disbelief, persecution carrying her cargo of human souls.
The symbol draws some of its imagery from Noah’s Ark, which protected Noah’s family during the flood. Jesus too protects Peter’s boat and the apostles on the storm Sea of Galilee.
Saint Anselm said that the Bark of the Church may be Swept by the Waves of the world, but she can never sink, because Christ is with us. When the Church is in Greatest Need, Christ comes to her help through miracles, or by raising up Saintly Men to strengthen and purify her. She is the Bark of Peter; when the Storm threatens to Sink her, the Lord awakens from His Sleep, and Commands the Winds and Waters into Calm: “Peace; be still!”
Many Church buildings even are built to resemble a ship: the main nave contains the faithful gathered like in the galley of a ship. In fact, the word nave, comes from the Latin “Navis” which means, ship. The ribbing of the church rafters even resemble the ribs of a ship.
In today’s Gospel, the risen Lord commands Peter to cast the net over the right side of the boat and brings in a large catch. This has always been the Church’s mission.
Under the guidance of the successor of St. Peter, the Pope: we fish for souls, that those souls may come to safe harbor, the port of Heaven. One of the earliest symbols for the Christian was a fish: the icthus. Once safely in the boat, fish are transformed into fisherman and are put to work to cast out into deep waters.
The net cast at the command of Christ symbolizes our Evangelizing Mission. The Quantity of fish netted, One Hundred and Fifty-Three (153), is the total number of Species of Fish known by the Greek Civilization at that particular time in History. Therefore, this Number represents all of mankind to which the saving Gospel is to be preached.
After being pulled into the safety of the Barque of Peter, the disciples then go to shore in order to eat a meal with the Lord: a beautiful symbol of the celebration of Eucharist. We go out into the stormy world with all of its errors and vices, seeking to make a catch of souls, and then come back to the presence of the Lord for the celebration of Eucharist—in thanksgiving for keeping our own souls safe from evil and seeking strength to be more faithful and effective in our mission.
May our celebration of the Eucharist today and throughout the Easter season continue to strengthen us for the evangelizing mission, to spread the Gospel to all people, that no soul may be lost to the watery chaos, including our own, but may be brought to the glory of our eternal homeland, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
- - - - - - -
Filled with paschal joy, let us pray more earnestly to God that he, who graciously listened to the prayers and supplications of his beloved Son, may now be pleased to look upon us in our lowliness.
1. For the shepherds of our souls, that they may have the strength to govern wisely, the flock entrusted to them by the Good Shepherd.
2. For the whole world, that it may truly know the peace given by Christ.
3. For our brothers and sisters who suffer, that their sorrow may be turned to gladness which no one can take from them.
4. For our own community, that it may bear witness with great confidence to the Resurrection of Christ.
O God, who know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the desires of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ Our Lord.
No comments:
Post a Comment