Homilies & Thoughts

There is something deeply unsettling about realizing we do not see as clearly as we think. Jesus’ words confront us with this reality. We assume that we understand the world, that we can judge right from wrong, that we can identify the faults in others with accuracy. And yet, Jesus tells us otherwise. He warns that sin is not just a private matter between us and God—it distorts everything, especially our vision.

There is a reason why fishermen do not cast their nets from the shore. The shallow waters are comfortable, familiar, and safe, but they do not hold the abundance they seek. The deeper waters, though unpredictable and at times treacherous, are where the true catch is found. When Jesus tells Simon Peter to put out into the deep, he is not only speaking about fishing. He is calling Peter—and us—to a new way of life, one that requires courage, trust, and a willingness to go beyond what is comfortable.

N.B. This weekend was the annual Bishop’s Appeal for Ministries. This homily is focused around the appeal.

The infant Jesus is brought to the temple, and there, in the arms of Simeon, light is revealed. This child, whom Mary and Joseph humbly present, is the fulfillment of Israel’s longing, the answer to generations of prayers. “A light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” Christ is the light that shatters darkness, the dawn that dispels the night of sin and death. And yet, the light of Christ is not something to be observed from a distance—it is meant to be carried, shared, and spread throughout the world.