Page:SermonsFromTheLatins.djvu/382



"And Jesus  saith  to  Simon:  Fear  not,  from  henceforth thou  shall  catch  men." — Luke v.  10.

Ex.: I.  The  fishermen. II. The fisher  of  men. III. God's call.

I. Preparation:  i.  Altar-boy. 2. God  no  respecter  of persons. 3. Julian's  blasphemy.

II. Call. I. Industry and self-sacrificed. 2. Hearing and preaching. 3. Net  of  God's  word.

III. Response :  1. Trials and  consolations. 2. Double  revelation. 3. Peter's  astonishment.

Per.: 1. Priestly self-respect. 2. Reverence  of  laity. 3. Golden mean.

Brethren, the  scene  of  to-day's  Gospel  is  a  beautiful one  to  contemplate. The night  had  been stormy, and  the  fishermen's  labor  had  been  consequently fruitless,  but  now  the  morning  breaks  calm and clear,  and  the  fickle  lake,  easily  lashed  to  fury and easily  stilled,  lies  smooth  and  glassy  beneath  the newly risen  sun. Long, quivering  shadows  are  cast athwart the  waters  by  the  tall  masts,  the  idle  sails,  and the weary,  disheartened  fishermen. Presently, down from Capharnaum  comes  Jesus,  the  crowd  following and pressing  round  to  hear  His  every  word. Shading their eyes  with  their  hands,  the  fishermen  look shoreward, then  work  their  boats  closer  in,  where rising and  falling  on  the  gentle  swell  they  pause  to listen. Christ's eyes  are  on  the  people,  and  His  words are addressed  to  them,  but  His  heart  is  on  the  fisher-