By Menchu Ealdama, St. Catharines DIP

“Put out into the deep waters and lower your nets for a catch...do not be afraid;  from now on you will be catching men.”  (Lk 5: 4, 10)

Our Global Spiritual Director, Archbishop Angel Lagdameo came to Toronto for a pastoral visit from August 9 – 12.  We welcomed him with open arms, grateful that he had come.  It has been five years since we last saw him, and here he was finally, this shepherd of God, looking in on his flock to instruct, exhort and encourage.

On Tuesday, August 10, everybody was welcomed for a night of recollection with him.  He celebrated mass and quoting the familiar verse from the gospel of Luke, he gave his homily. He reminded us of the humble beginnings of BLD 25 years ago to the global force that it has become with 51 Districts world-wide.  These are made up of 9 Full Term Districts, 19 Full Fledged Districts and 23 Districts in Process.

He spoke of “shorelines” and “deep waters”.  A “shoreline” is a place where we do not have to take risks, where everything is familiar, and where people are friendly. BLD was started by people who were not afraid to leave the “shorelines” of their comfort zones and go into the “deep waters” of uncertainty.  They were aware of the tremendous work ahead of them but they did not let their fear overcome them.  Instead, they yielded themselves to the will of God trusting that if His Plan was for them to build a community, that He himself will provide them the wherewithal with which to do so.

The notion of putting out into the deep waters signifies uncertainty but it can also bring great opportunities.  As with the apostles who trusted the Lord came up with a great catch, so too the deep waters can be for us a place where loss can be turned to gain.

Where are the deep waters where we are called by the Lord?

It can mean a change to a simple lifestyle – “to live simply so that others may simply live”.  It can mean a strong communion with the poor. It is a way of life rooted in the example of Jesus.  As a Community, we are called to care and share our blessings for “no one is so poor as to have nothing to give; no one is so rich as to have nothing to receive”.

Without exception, we are called to holiness and to do our part in changing the destiny of the world.  Each of us has been given a gift – while there is a diversity of ministry, there should be unity in mission.  And the challenge before us at this time is as it was 25 years ago – to be “catchers of men”.

The Light of the Lord is out there to guide us.  Let’s go fishing and put out into the deep!