Reflection for February 6, 2022

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

Isaiah 6:1-2a,3-8 | Psalm 138:1-5,7-8 | 1 Corinthians 15:1-11  | Luke 5:1-11

​The Scriptures for this Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time urges us to examine our life of discipleship and how we are answering God’s daily call. We have three of the greatest servants of God — Isaiah, Paul and Peter — iconic figures in salvation history — expressing their unworthiness. Isaiah says he is a person of unclean lips. Paul confesses that it was God’s grace and not his own effort that made him worthy to be an apostle. Then Peter was so overwhelmed by a sudden sense of the divine power and goodness, that senses the reality of his own real sinfulness. 

The Beethoven House in Bonn is one of the most frequented music museums worldwide and one of the 100 most popular sights in Germany. On a visit to the museum, Jamie, a young American student became fascinated by the piano on which Beethoven had composed some of his greatest works. She asked the museum guard if she could play a few bars on it; she accompanied the request with a lavish tip, and the guard agreed. The girl went to the piano and tinkled out the opening of the Moonlight Sonata. As she was leaving she said to the guard, "I suppose all the great pianist who come here want to play on that piano."
The guard shook his head. "Ignacy Jan Paderewski (famed Polish pianist and composer) was here a few years ago and he said he wasn't worthy to touch it."

In our First Reading, the prophet Isaiah has a vision of a heavenly liturgy whereby they are celebrating the glory of God.  He cries out, "Woe is me, I am doomed! For I am a man of unclean lips, living among a people of unclean lips!" Isaiah says he is a person of unclean lips." Then one of the attending angels touches his lips with an ember. The fire of God’s love instantaneously burns away all sin. As a result, the prophet Isaiah no longer sees himself as woeful, but quickly makes himself available to speak on God’s behalf.

Samuel F.B. Morse who was once asked if he ever encountered situations where he didn't know what to do. Morse responded, "More than once, and whenever I could not see my way clearly, I knelt down and prayed to God for light and understanding." Morse received many honors from his invention of the electric telegraph but felt undeserving: "I have made a valuable application of electricity not because I was superior to other men but solely because God, who meant it for mankind, must reveal it to someone and He was pleased to reveal it to me."

The apostle Paul, in his fist letter to the Corinthians, seems to still be carrying some guilt as he says that he is not fit to be called an apostle. This is understandable given how he persecuted the church of God, doing his part to see that followers of Jesus were put to death. He acknowledges that it is by the grace of God that he is who he is. God mysteriously calls us. God calls the unworthy and inadequate. There are no established criteria which he follows when he calls us. We may not be worthy to preach because of our sinful past, but it is God who makes us worthy even if other people try to disqualify us. The most important thing is that we respond generously when we hear his voice. Do not hesitate. To do this, we must focus on our purpose, not on our unworthiness. As C.S. Lewis would put it, “not thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less." 

There was once ​a farmer named Fernando who had two wooden water ​buckets, one painted blue and the other painted red. He used those buckets to bring water home every day. The blue bucket had a crack and leaked continuously. The red bucket was perfect and never slipped a drop. As time passed the blue bucket became sad about the leaked water. It decided to speak with the farmer. Upon learning that the blue bucket was sad, Fernando asked it to join him on a walk. They walked down the same path as always. But this time the farmer pointed out all of the beautiful flowers and plants that had sprung up around them. He explained to the blue bucket that it was responsible for all of this beauty. If he hadn't leaked water every day the blooms and greens would never have grown. The blue bucket realized that despite his flaws, he still helped those around him grow. 

In today's Gospel, a large crowd of people was eager to listen to Jesus. He teaches from Simon Peter's boat. Jesus, a carpenter by trade, turns to the pro fisherman Simon Peter and instructs him about where to lower the fishing nets. Simon Peter and others have been fishing throughout the night and have not caught anything. Simon Peter protests, claiming that such an effort would be futile. Simon Peter probably looked at Jesus and thought, "Are you foolish or what? I am a professional fisherman, and I know what I'm doing. I'm telling you there isn't a fish in this stinking sea!" But Simon Peter ultimately obeys Jesus and lowers his nets into the deeper water as directed. Simon Peter obeyed Jesus anyway and their catch is overabundant and miraculous. Oh! how blessed you are, Simon Peter! Our local fishermen must have envied you so much because they are banned to fish in our own seas by another country that bullies them with its illegal reclamation and fake island construction in the West Philippines Sea. Notice here that Simon Peter calls Jesus by the title, ἐπιστάτά (master). He already recognizes Jesus as a person of authority. Jesus has been living in the home of Simon Peter and his family for the better part of six months before he invites him to become a disciple. When God calls, he does it step by step. Hindi biglaan. To be able to respond to God's call, one must have a close, intimate, and personal relationship with Jesus. Simon Peter would have made a good living as fisherman. His house is perfectly situated on the shore, a prime real estate for a commercial fisherman. Simon Peter has a established business with partners and others in his employ. Then he meets Jesus. Jesus and his mother Mary are welcomed as guests in Simon Peter's sprawling family compound. Jesus honors his skill on the water. Jesus knows Simon Peter well before he issues his invitation to discipleship. Jesus out-fishes a professional. Simon Peter is hooked and leaves his boat, his nets, the fish behind to begin the process of becoming a fisher of men. What you do well? What you do to provide for your family? Jesus wants to use what we know and love and then call us into a deeper relationship through that gift or talent. God will use your talents and interests to draw in others to the kingdom, if you will allow him to. So next time you hear God tell you to do something good that seems a little bit weird, I suggest that you go for it. You'll be amazed at what you and God can do together! 

Heavenly Father, Jesus, has told us to go fish for people. Strengthen our personal relationship with you and dispel in us all feelings of reluctance and unworthiness in responding to your call. With the help of your grace, we will now go and tell others about Jesus, trusting him to bring them all into the boat. Amen. <enrique,ofs>