Is 6:1-2,3-8; Ps 137 (138); I Cor 15:1-11; Lk 5:1-11
The Call to Serve
Dear friends, today is the fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time Year C. The readings speak to us about the call to serve the Lord. From the call of Prophet Isaiah, Paul, and the first Disciples of Jesus, we can concur with the statement, “God does not call the qualified to serve him, but he qualifies the one that he calls”. God does not also look at the outside appearance of a person or their past or present situation. When he calls, he endows the person with all he or she needs to accomplish the purpose of his call. Therefore, it is wrong for someone to say that God cannot call him or her because of what they have done, where they come from, or who they are. It is human beings who judge others as unworthy. Likewise, it is wrong for someone to think they are the only ones qualified because of what they have, where they come from, or their level of education.
In the first reading, we see that Prophet Isaiah was only a small boy when called. He felt unworthy to be even in the presence of God let alone being a prophet. “I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among the people of unclean lips”. God sent his angel with a live coal to cleanse him hence qualifying him for the mission. This action of cleansing gives Isaiah the courage to respond positively to the call of God, “Here I am, send me”. Are you cleansed and ready to respond to God’s call?
In the second reading, St. Paul too counts himself as a very privileged person to be counted among the apostles of the Gospel. He even says that he hardly deserved the name “Apostle” since he persecuted the followers of Christ out of ignorance. Paul was not really a bad person, and he was absolutely convinced that what he was doing was the right thing. Out of ignorance, he thought he was helping to stop an illegal movement that was misleading the Jewish people about the messiah who was to come. When Jesus appeared to Paul, he opened his eyes to see the truth. Many people waste a lot of time even their entire life pursuing the wrong mission. Are you sure that what you are so vehemently fighting for is the correct cause? How do I know that I am on the right path? Let Jesus open your eyes today.
Many times, we do horrible things to others thinking that we are right. Our convictions can be clouded by ignorance, misconceptions, false teachings, outdated traditions and customs, bad politics, selfish interests, and greed for fame and wealth, among others. What do you think is clouding your perspective today?
In the Gospel reading, Simon cries “Leave me, Lord, I am a sinful man’ when he realizes who the man standing before him is. Jesus, however, did not dismiss Peter, but he presented him with an opportunity to take part in a great mission of catching people for the kingdom of God. We too are called to catch people for the kingdom of God to be saved and not to ruin their lives by introducing them to witches and self-proclaimed prophets of false prosperity.
Dear friends, Jesus comes to help us come out of our miserable routine and slavery where life is a matter of trial and error, and bring us into a path of certainty and grace. Unlike you and me who sometimes enjoy other people’s sufferings, Jesus makes us realize our shortcomings, but he does not leave us there. He is always there to rescue us and give us a new life with a greater purpose if we are ready to leave everything and follow him. We need to look behold our weaknesses and our situation to embrace his call. Let us not be hindered by our past mistakes, our present situation, or the environment where we live. Since he is the one who calls us, he also will enable us to carry out the mission he gives to us.
Today, I invite us to look around and see the things that hinder us from seeing the many opportunities that God puts in our way. Do we feel unclean and surrounded by unclean people like Isaiah? Do we have a bad past record like Paul, or do we feel sinful and lowly like Peter? Jesus does not care about all these, when he calls us, he always has a plan.
Have a blessed Sunday.
Fr. Lawrence Muthee, SVD
SVD JAMBO KENTAN 