Page 36 - Reflexions of African Bishops and Priests

The Miraculous Draught of Fishes, by Jacopo Bassano, 1545
(continued from page 27)
possible. With the grace of God, by the next few the sea and cast your nets.” And Peter said to him,
years, this flame will produce marvels. “Lord, all night we did not catch even the smallest
We who have been invited to this week of study fish but at Your Word, I will go.” And, on casting
and to the congress, whether we are already famil- out their nets, a great wonder occurred, a miracle;
iar with the Louis Even Institute or are discovering they were obliged to call other boats because of the
it for the first time, we will not deny the importance inestimable quantity of the fish that they gathered.
of the responsibilities and commitment that consti- The dawn of a new era
tutes our presence here. Without wanting to apply May today’s Eucharist give us strength for the
this teaching too quickly because we have been new day that is just beginning and tighten the bonds
energized and say, “We will show them how things of fraternity, solidarity and affection among us and
can be done here!”, and then give up because of for every man. We make a fervent vow for the pros-
the immensity of the task; we rather resolutely turn perity of the Louis Even Institute, that Social Credit
towards the Lord. may continue to make its way through the world,
We turn towards Him in all confidence and we despite the hardships which it must confront. May
count firmly on Him. It is He, in fact, who works Social Credit be understood, favorably received
in us, by us, through us and around us. The story of and profoundly rooted in the sprits and hearts of
the miraculous draught of fishes (Luke 5:1-11) that the present and future generations of every coun-
has proclaimed today comes just at the right mo- try of the world, so that through the intercession
ment to give us courage and to aid us to be disposed of the Virgin Mary and the help of St. Michael the
to accept the time of God. Yes, Peter had passed the Archangel, the dawn of a new era for mankind may
entire night casting his nets without catching even arrive, for the greater glory of God who lives and
one fish. The Lord came and, I could say, monopol- reigns for ever and ever. Amen.”
ized the boat of Peter. He settled down in the boat Most Rev. Basile Tapsoba
and took His time to give the Good News. It is Bishop of Koudougou, Burkina Faso
only after that He said to Simon Peter, “Go out into

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