5^th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year C

Readings: Is. 6:1-2a,3-8, 1Cor. 15:1-11, and Lk. 5:1-11.

“If You Say So I will Lower the Net.”

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

1.     The world around us is made up of experts, in one field or the other. We have builders, carpenters, mechanics, tailors, typists, fishermen, sailors etc. Imagine one of them advising the other outside of his own expertise. The skilled person will not readily take instructions from the unskilled person, one outside of his field of knowledge. In today’s gospel text, we see something like this happening. On the shore, we see a group of fishermen who are repairing their nets. They had worked the whole night and caught nothing. They came across a carpenter who is also a preacher. He got to their boat to preach and when he finished, He asked them to “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” A Carpenter instructing fishermen on how to go about fishing. If we were to receive such an advice we may probably say “Listen I know my work!” This is somehow what Simon Peter was saying when he told Jesus “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing.” Peter spoke these words, a polite way of objecting but added: “but at your command I will lower the nets”. We are told that when they followed the instruction, they netted such a huge number of fish that their nets began to tear. They filled the two boats to sinking point.

2.     Peter’s response pointed out that much was not to happen even if they tried again lowering their nets, but he did. He had trusted Jesus enough to try to do so. He agreed to be told what to do by a nonexpert. The result was very good, very wonderful. He had never caught that many fish in his entire life in one night, the proper time for fishing. In a short time, the boats were full. Jesus has done his own part; next was the turn of Peter, he also wanted to instruct Jesus on what to do. He was completely overcome by the catch they made. He says: “Leave me, Lord, I am a sinful man.” This is like a child, in a childish manner telling his father what to do. Peter does not know Jesu very well, but he felt that Jesus must be a special messenger of God otherwise he would not be able to work such wonderful things. Peter thought that because he is sinful, he is not the type of person to work with Jesus and to stay with Him.

3.     Peter is still to learn more about Jesus and about the God He has come to talk about – God does not go away from us because we are sinners. On the contrary, He knows that, because we are sinners we need His special help. The call to mission accompanied by God’s transforming grace can strike at any moment. He draws near to us as Jesus did to Peter. He does not mind our sins in showing interest in us. What is of value to Him is that we see ourselves as we are – sinners – and that we ask Him to purify us.

4.     This purification was already done in the past with the call of the prophet Isaiah as reported in the first reading – He had seen as Peter that he was not worthy to be in the presence of God. He had spoken words like those of Peter saying: “Woe is me; I am doomed! For I am a man of unclean lips,” exclaimed Isaiah. “Depart from me for I am a sinful man,” implored Peter. “I am …not fit to be called an apostle,” insisted Paul. God, however, is never deterred by such protestations. But through the angel, God assured Isaiah: “Your sin is taken away.” Yes, God wants to do the same for all of us. The mission is never depended upon the worthiness of the minister but upon God’s grace. If people keep their focus on their inabilities and shortcomings, the work of God would never be accomplished. He only asks that we recognize our sins and trust him enough for pardon. He askes us to accept to be told by His Messenger, His Son, Jesus, what is pleasing to Him. Are we brave enough to look at Jesus and say, “Here I am, send me”? This is a bold request. Why should we think we have a call from God? Are we good enough? Are we too sinful, too inexperienced? Someone else is surely better. But Jesus calls us out of our sinfulness and out of our reluctance. We are not perfect. But we are called to perfect ourselves, simply by having faith in the one who calls. We come to our call by acknowledging that we are sinful and that we need God. There is no other way than this to follow God.

5.      Are you ready to accept to be told what to do? This, God uses many ways to reach us. Whatever the way He chooses for you, He expects you to answer like Peter, even when you are in doubt. If you say so. …

 - I’ll try to be a better Christian,

- I’ll try to be of good example to my children, and to the people around me.

- I’ll try to be honest, always.

- I’ll try to stop stealing.

- I’ll try to trust you more.

- I’ll try to be more generous.

- I’ll try to do whatever you ask me to do. 

May God grant us the grace. 

To God be the glory and honor forever and ever. Amen.

Fr. Anthony D Lawir,

Pastor, St. Agnes and Our Lady of the Snows Parishes, Pittsfield and Dexter.