Put Out into the Deep

 
Just about everyone, at some point in life, will encounter someone in authority who will not yield to any approach to a situation other than their own. The “my way or the highway” stance leaves a binary choice with no room for compromise or collaboration. A counter to that authoritarian voice could be the equally stubborn “don’t tell me!”. A “Mexican Standoff” can occur if open-mindedness gives way to a narrow, hard-lined view. Considering a contrarian approach is hard, but in the case of Simon Peter’s fishing methods, deference to his master’s suggestion paid off in spades.
 
“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. (Luke 5:4-7)
 
It has been said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results. Using a “tried and true” approach in a given situation has merit, but we must always be open to new ideas that can address the changes that life sometimes brings about. The disciples’ natural response to feeding a large crowd involved sending them away so that everyone could buy his or her own food. Jesus proposed a different approach:
 
“When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.”  They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.”  Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. (Matthew 14:14-21)
 
Let us pray for the grace to trust in God’s providence, and to “put out into the deep” in the ways and means that involve life here on Earth as we journey toward Heaven.