Divine Encounter, Humility, and the Call to Discipleship

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The readings for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) highlight powerful encounters with God, revealing themes of divine calling, unworthiness, purification, and the transformative power of faith. Each reading demonstrates that God calls imperfect people to serve, equipping them with His grace to carry out His mission.

1. Encountering the Divine and Recognizing Unworthiness

Throughout Scripture, those who encounter God are struck by their own imperfections:

Isaiah’s Vision of the Lord – The prophet Isaiah sees the Lord in glory:
“I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, with the train of his garment filling the temple… Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts! All the earth is filled with his glory!” (Isaiah 6:1-3)
Confronted by this holiness, Isaiah immediately recognizes his own sinfulness:
“Woe is me, I am doomed! For I am a man of unclean lips… yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” (Isaiah 6:5)
Peter’s Response to Jesus – In the Gospel, Simon Peter experiences a miraculous catch of fish, leading him to exclaim:
“Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” (Luke 5:8)
His humility mirrors Isaiah’s, showing that divine encounters bring awareness of our need for God’s mercy.

2. Purification and Forgiveness Prepare Us for Service

God does not leave those He calls in their weakness. Instead, He purifies and strengthens them:

Isaiah’s Cleansing – A seraphim touches Isaiah’s lips with a burning ember:
“See, now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, your sin purged.” (Isaiah 6:7)
This purification enables Isaiah to respond boldly to God’s call.
Jesus’ Assurance to Peter – Despite Peter’s admission of sinfulness, Jesus reassures him:
“Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” (Luke 5:10)
God does not call the perfect—He perfects the called.

3. The Call to Service and Discipleship

God’s call demands a response, and those who trust Him find their lives transformed:

Isaiah’s Response – When God asks, “Whom shall I send?”, Isaiah answers without hesitation:
“Here I am; send me!” (Isaiah 6:8)
Peter’s Transformation – Jesus calls Simon Peter to a new vocation:
“From now on you will be catching men.” (Luke 5:10)
This encounter leads Peter and his companions to leave everything behind and follow Jesus (Luke 5:11).

4. Faith and Obedience Lead to Miracles

Faith is essential in responding to God’s call, even when things seem impossible:

Peter’s Obedience – After an unsuccessful night of fishing, Jesus tells Peter to lower the nets again. Though skeptical, Peter obeys:
“Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.” (Luke 5:5)
This simple act of trust results in an abundant catch, showing that obedience leads to God’s provision and power.

5. The Resurrection and God’s Grace

The second reading from 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 reminds us that Jesus’ resurrection is the foundation of our faith:

Paul declares:
“Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures; that he was buried; that he was raised on the third day.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
Without the resurrection, our faith would be in vain—but because Jesus lives, we have hope.
Paul also acknowledges his own unworthiness, recognizing that God’s grace transforms even the most unlikely servants:
“For I am the least of the apostles, not fit to be called an apostle… But by the grace of God I am what I am.” (1 Corinthians 15:9-10)

6. A Song of Gratitude: Psalm 138

The Responsorial Psalm reinforces the faithfulness of God and our need to trust in Him:

“When I called, you answered me; you built up strength within me… Your kindness, O LORD, endures forever; forsake not the work of your hands.” (Psalm 138:3,8)

Final Reflection: Answering God’s Call Today

These readings remind us that God calls us despite our weaknesses. Like Isaiah, Peter, and Paul, we may feel unworthy, but God purifies, strengthens, and equips those who trust Him.

Where is God calling you to serve?
Are you willing to step out in faith, even when the task seems daunting?

Just as Isaiah responded, “Here I am; send me!”, and Peter left everything to follow Jesus, may we also embrace God’s call with faith, humility, and obedience.