Here I am! - A Reflection on the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

Today we welcomed Deacon Frank Nelson from Holy Rosary Church who gave us an inspired homily on this Second Sunday of Black History Month.  After Mass, we enjoyed a pancake breakfast prepared for our parishioners and guests by the Knights of Columbus of St. Michael's Church. Breakfast was followed by a special program during which our parishioners, Mary Walker and Chantelle Bryant spoke of their experiences of being Black and Catholic.  Sr. Maureen gave an overview about the schooling of African American children at St. Francis/Emma in the early 20th century.

We want to thank our speakers, Deacon Frank, as well as the men from the Knights of Columbus for making this Sunday so memorable.

  

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

Is 5:1-2a, 3-8

Ps 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-8

1 Cor 15:1-11

Lk 5:1-11

In today's readings, we learn how God calls us and how we can experience that call.  In the first reading, Isaiah spoke of his fear when in a dream, he saw the Lord seated on a throne surrounded by angels.  Isaiah knew that no one who saw the Lord face to face could live.  He was frightened because he knew that he was a sinful man.  But God has his ways and sent an angel to cleanse him.  Isaiah then heard the Lord speak, asking who could he send out as his messenger   With great joy, Isaiah immediately answered the Lord's call:  "Here I am... send me!"  Isaiah had an experience that was so powerful that there was no question that he would respond with a "Yes."

In the second reading, Paul writes to his beloved Corinthians about his own call to preach the Good News.  He reminds them that even though he considers himself an apostle, Paul calls himself the least of them because he had spent such a long time persecuting the Christians before he received the Lord's call.

Paul's call was also a dramatic one.  Paul was blinded when Jesus spoke to him on his way to Damascus and asked why Paul was persecuting him.  Paul also recognized that he was a sinful man, but by following the instructions given to him by the Lord, his sight was restored and Paul immediately began his travels to bring the Good News to the people all over the Mediterranean world and beyond.

There is something compelling in the Lord's call especially when a person is open to it.  In today's Gospel, Jesus seems to turn nature around when he instructs Peter to take his boat out into the deep water and prepare to catch fish, even though Peter and his partners had been fishing all night and had caught nothing.  However, Peter obeyed.  The nets caught so many fish that they were ready to break.  Peter knew he had seen something miraculous happening and he too was frightened and fell to his knees, acknowledging that he was a sinful man in the presence of Jesus.  And Jesus, seeing Peter's fear, reassured him that he should not be afraid and that soon he would be "catching men."  Peter and his companions left their boat and followed Jesus.  How else could you answer such a call.

God calls all of us in some way...  The psalmist prayed that Lord complete what he has done for him.  That is our prayer too.     



~ Image:  Miraculous Draught of Fishes by Raphael, 1483-1520, Victoria and Albert Museum, London.