5th Sunday in Ordinary time (Year C)

 First Reading: From the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8)

  • This reading describes Isaiah’s vision of the Lord in the temple and his calling to be a prophet. Isaiah feels unworthy but is purified by a seraphim with a burning coal, leading him to respond, “Here I am; send me!”

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 138

  • "In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord." The psalm expresses gratitude and trust in God's faithfulness and help.

Second Reading: From the First Letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 15:1-11)

  • St. Paul reminds the Corinthians of the gospel he preached to them, emphasizing the resurrection of Jesus and his own unworthiness, yet chosen by God's grace to be an apostle.

Gospel: From the Gospel of Luke (Luke 5:1-11)

  • This passage recounts the calling of the first disciples. Jesus instructs Peter to cast his nets into the deep water, leading to a miraculous catch of fish. Peter acknowledges his sinfulness, but Jesus calls him and his companions to become "fishers of men."

It is fascinating how the three readings from today share so many common themes:

  1. All the subjects were called.

  2. All of them felt unworthy of the task.

  3. All of them were forgiven in some way and exceeded their own expectations.

To receive God's pardon, there is one essential requirement: We need to want to be pardoned.

Reflecting on the Second Reading and the Gospel, why did Jesus choose St. Peter and St. Paul instead of individuals who were perceived as more virtuous or knowledgeable about the law? (Not to say they weren't good, but their faith was somewhat shaken by life's challenges.)

Wouldn't it have been easier? Perhaps. But the point is that Jesus wanted to demonstrate that everyone is capable of fulfilling God's mission, even if they feel unworthy.

There is a passage that beautifully captures this message: "On hearing this, Jesus said, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'" —Matthew 9:12-13 (NIV)

So, there are two significant takeaways from the readings of the Fifth Sunday:

  1. We can be forgiven as long as we desire it.

  2. We are all called by Jesus, regardless of how unworthy we may feel.

Let us seize this opportunity to connect with Jesus, understand the calling He has for us, and discover how we can serve.

Have you recognized Christ in your life today? I sincerely hope so. Please share your experiences with us in the comments.

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