His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian: Obedience and Faith Make Possible What Seems

Humanly Impossible

On the 18th Sunday after Pentecost (the Sunday of the Miraculous Catch of Fish), His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian celebrated the Divine Liturgy at All Saints Parish in Toronto, together with the parish priest, Fr. Emanuel Țencaliuc. At the end of the service, the hierarch delivered a sermon emphasizing the importance of obedience to the word of God and Christian generosity.

“Today’s Gospel speaks about how the disciples came to understand, following the miracle performed by our Lord Jesus Christ, the meaning of obedience to His word – the miraculous catch of fish.”

The Romanian hierarch pointed out that the human experience of St. Peter's toil throughout the night, fishing without God's help, revealed the fragility of such efforts. However, obedience to Christ’s word brought about unexpected results:

“In today’s Gospel, we see the mystery of faith: human experience told Peter there was no point in trying again to catch fish, but obedience through faith in the Lord’s word proved stronger than his reason as an experienced fisherman.”

The spirit of Peter’s obedience through faith is the same as that of the Virgin Mary manifested in her response to the angel at the Annunciation:

“Thus, the Virgin Mary said: ‘Let it be to me according to your word’ – an act of faith through which the mystery of the conception and incarnation of the Son of God was fulfilled in her womb. Her faith in God’s Word, based on the purity of her heart, overcame the understanding and knowledge derived from the laws of nature.”

The hierarch also highlighted that the Gospel passage speaks about divine goodness and generosity:

“This Gospel is a testimony to God's generosity and abundance. St. Paul, in today’s Epistle reading from 2 Corinthians, chapter 9, says clearly: ‘Whoever sows generously will also reap generously’ (v. 6). This means that when we give from our little, God Himself multiplies the gift and returns it manifold, so that we, in turn, may give even more.”

Commenting on the words of St. Peter, the bishop said: “Seeing the miracle of the catch, St. Peter recognizes in the One who told him to cast the nets, God Himself. Therefore, he falls before Him and says, ‘Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.’ This shift from calling Christ ‘Master’ to ‘Lord’ represents the growth and maturity in the knowledge of God and in the belief in Him.”

Referring to another spiritual interpretation of the Gospel passage, His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian said:

“The Sea of Galilee, with its often-stormy waves, symbolizes our earthly world, full of sins and trials. The boat is the image of the Church, which shelters people and guides them through the storms toward the harbor of salvation. It is like Noah’s ark during the flood. All those present in the ark – people and animals – were saved. Similarly, the spiritual ark of the Church, through its teaching, guiding, and sanctifying work, leads people toward the Kingdom of Heaven and eternal life.

The net cast into the sea represents the Gospel. Through the preaching of the Word of God, people are brought to faith and taken into the boat of the Church. The net of the Word of God is cast into the depths of our humanity to save people. Likewise, the Church casts the nets of faith and of its seeking into the depths of divine mysteries and brings out life-giving and salvific meanings.”

The bishop continued with a reflection on the importance and meaning of miracles:

“St. Nicholas Velimirovich emphasizes that miracles, whether we see them in our personal life, in that of the community, or in the lives of the saints, are signs of the continuous presence of God among us. The world could not exist even for a moment without His providence, for if He were to withdraw His work, everything would return to nothingness. The presence of God’s miracles at various moments shows that He watches over the world and guides it with His almighty will and divine wisdom. It also shows that without Him, humans can accomplish nothing truly good.”

The hierarch then spoke about the importance of faith and obedience in personal life:

“Everything begins with obedience. Just as St. Peter, against all odds, said: ‘At Your word, Lord, I will cast the net,’ we too are called to believe and obey Christ even when the world seems to tell us otherwise.

Obedience and faith in God’s word make possible what seems humanly impossible. Faith opens the mind and heart to receive the grace of God. Even when we do not fully understand the divine Word, by listening to it, we are led to rich fruits: gifts, blessings, and most importantly, the transformation of our lives.

This is the power of faith: to make possible what seems humanly impossible and to reveal the richness of God’s love and generosity poured out upon the world.

When we listen to the word of God and follow Him, we begin to truly know God and His overwhelming generosity when we respond with faith.”

At the end Fr. Emanuel Țencaliuc thanked the hierarch and invited the faithful present to a brotherly agape meal.

(contributors Fr. Emanuel Țencaliuc / Nun Ana Bulgariu)