And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep (Duc in altum) and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking.
A Journey of Faith
As I begin this blog, the words of Jesus, “Duc in altum – put out into the deep,” resonate as a fitting motto. My hope is to serve you, the readers, and bring about a great outcome for His glory. When the Lord asks us to cast our nets into deep waters, it may seem like a fruitless task. Yet, His command holds the promise of success.
Lessons From the Saints
Saints like St. Augustine and St. Gregory the Great echo this idea. They remind us that trusting in God’s commands—even when they seem challenging—leads to spiritual growth. We are called, like Peter, to obey with love and faith. If we do our part and put in the effort, success will come. As Scripture says, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” Let us answer this call and trust in His guidance.
A Leap From Reading to Writing
Starting this blog has been a leap of faith for me. I’ve always been more comfortable as a reader than a writer. Reading allows you to absorb ideas without needing to create new ones. Writing, on the other hand, requires active engagement and original thought.
Becoming Fishers of Men
There are many ways to be “fishers of men,” as Christ told Simon, James, and John. Writing is one approach, but all Christians are called to cast their nets into the deep and let God bring in the catch. Jesus didn’t tell them to stay in the shallows. He sent them into the deep waters, beyond the comfort zone, where faith and trust are essential.
Pope John Paul II captures this well:
Duc in altum! These words ring out for us today. They invite us to remember the past with gratitude, live the present with enthusiasm, and look forward to the future with confidence: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)
Embracing Fortitude and Perseverance
As we embark on this journey with Veritas Catholica, we take up the call to “Duc in altum.” Like Peter, we may face moments of doubt and struggle, but true success comes through trust in Jesus’ words. The virtues of fortitude and perseverance will guide us. Fortitude gives us courage, while perseverance helps us endure difficulties. Every effort, no matter how small, adds to the greater glory of God.
Conclusion: Take the Leap
Let us journey into the deep, trusting that with Christ as our guide, our nets will not be empty. Duc in altum!
“Put out into the deep”, the net is like a seed thrown into fertile, deep soil, plunging into the depths it seems to take root and eventually bear abundant fruit. A simple fishing net was transformed into a network of churches, where the church is the seed planted by Peter.
Thank you Maria for your insightful comment, the Church seed certainly did grow like the mustard tree from Peter and the Apostles, planted by the Holy Spirit in the hearts of men.