Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time / Msgr. Owen F. Campion
The Sunday Readings
The Book of Isaiah is the source of the first reading this weekend. Written before the Babylonian conquest, this prophecy was composed when, relatively speaking, and with some qualification, the southern kingdom of the Hebrews was tranquil and prosperous.
Nevertheless, Isaiah felt that he was called by God to confront the people about their infidelity to God or at least their lukewarmness in responding to their role as God’s special people. The story, told in this reading, conveys by its drama and bluntness the totality required in Isaiah’s willingness to answer the divine calling to be a prophet.
Isaiah displays in this reading the fervor and power that are typical of the writing in all three sections of this ancient book.
St. Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians provides the next reading. Paul recalls the death of Jesus and then the Lord’s Resurrection, giving the details that St. Peter, whom Paul calls “Cephas,” using the Greek term, saw Jesus after the Resurrection, that St. James saw Jesus, and that even 500 of those who believed in the Gospel saw the risen Lord.
The reading also is autobiographical. Paul declares that he himself is an Apostle, having been called by the Lord. However, he calls himself “least” among the Apostles because he, unlike the others, once persecuted Christ living in the community of Christians.
Still, God called him. Unrestrained by this sense of personal unworthiness, Paul wholeheartedly responds to this calling. He is God’s instrument. Through him, God works the plan of redemption and mercy.
St. Luke’s Gospel supplies the last reading. This particular passage shows the fine literary hand at work in the composition of the Gospel of Luke, and by extension the other Gospels. Here Luke seems to use the Gospel of St. Mark as a source, but then he adds details drawn from a source also used by St. John.
Of course, Jesus is the central figure in the story. But, the next most important figure is Peter. A fisherman, along with his brother, Andrew, both of them living in Capernaum, Peter was in his boat on the Sea of Galilee when Jesus embarked. The Lord began to preach to the people assembled on the shore.
Then Jesus told Peter to row into deeper water and lower the nets into the water. Peter mildly protests, saying that he and his associates have been fishing all night, but with no success.
Nonetheless, Peter does as told. The result is that the nets are so filled with fish that Peter and his companions have difficulty in pulling the nets aboard.
Humbly, aware of the Lord’s power, Peter confesses his own sinfulness. Jesus sweeps beyond this admission, recognizing Peter’s faith instead, and calling Peter thereafter to fish for souls.
Reflection
For weeks—actually since Christmas—the Church has been introducing us, as it were, to Jesus. The great feasts of the Epiphany and of the Baptism of the Lord told us about Jesus.
Now, subtly but firmly, the Church urges us to respond to this entry of Jesus into our consciousness. How shall we respond?
The Church answers the question by putting before us three great figures in the tradition of holiness—Isaiah, followed by Paul, and then, finally, Peter.
Each manifests his unworthiness to be a part of the great and divine mission of salvation. Yet, fully realizing this unworthiness, God calls them each to a particular task.
Each person who hears the word of Christ, and is healed and strengthened by his grace, has a holy task. Each believer has a role to play in the work of salvation, beginning with his or her personal salvation. Everyone is unworthy. Nevertheless, God calls us and will give us all that truly is needed to be a disciple. †