Fifth Sunday of the Year (Year C)

Fifth Sunday of the Year – February 09, 2025

Readings:Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11

As we gather this Sunday, let’s take a moment to reflect on a remarkable figure in the Church: Saint John Vianney. 

His journey was far from smooth; he left the seminary three times due to health issues and struggles with his studies. Despite these setbacks, his fervent desire to serve the Lord kept pulling him back. During a pivotal moment, he faced a tough examination with four scholars. When he couldn’t answer their questions well, one frustrated professor muttered, “he’s a complete ass!” But rather than retreat in shame, Vianney boldly responded, “Father, if God could use Samson and kill 1000 Philistines with just the jawbone of an ass, how much more could He do with a complete ass!” They decided to pass him, and history remembers him as a dedicated and passionate priest. He may not have been the best preacher or administrator, but his ability to listen transformed countless lives as people travelled from afar to seek his counsel.

In today’s Gospel, we witness Peter’s profound transformation and growing faith through Jesus’ reassuring response to his willingness to trust. After a fruitless night of fishing, Jesus tells Peter to venture out and cast his nets. Skeptical yet obedient, Peter agrees, resulting in an astonishing catch of fish. This miracle deepens Peter’s understanding of Jesus’ divine nature and his own unworthiness, prompting him to fall to his knees in awe. But Jesus doesn’t leave him in that place of fear; instead, He calls Peter to a new mission: “Do not be afraid; from now on, you will be catching men.”

Today, we are invited to embrace themes of calling, mission, and trust in God’s plan. The readings compel us to consider how we respond to God’s call in our lives and recognize that, despite our imperfections and feelings of inadequacy, we are chosen to be instruments of God’s love and compassion in the world. Our mission isn’t about our strengths; it’s about surrendering to God’s will and letting His grace flow through us.

In the First Reading, Isaiah has a profound encounter with God’s holiness, seeing the Lord on a high throne, surrounded by celestial beings declaring His majesty. Overwhelmed by this vision, Isaiah acknowledges his own frailty, crying out, “Woe is me, I am doomed! For I am a man of unclean lips.” But God doesn’t abandon him in despair. Instead, a seraph purifies his lips with a burning coal, symbolizing forgiveness and renewal. Once cleansed, Isaiah responds enthusiastically, “Here I am, send me!”

This passage teaches us that confronting God's holiness often reveals our limitations and flaws. Yet, God calls us not because we are flawless but because He loves us and desires to transform us. Like Isaiah, we are invited to embrace that purification and respond generously to God’s call, trusting that He will equip us for the journey ahead.

In his letter, St. Paul reflects on his journey and role as an apostle. He humbly calls himself “the least of the apostles” and admits he once persecuted the Church. Yet he emphasizes that he stands as he does today by God's grace, reminding us our worth is not in our past but in God’s transforming grace. Paul’s life becomes a powerful testament to how God can use even those who feel unworthy.

This challenges us to look within ourselves. Do we trust in God’s grace to work through our imperfections? Can we believe that, despite our past mistakes or feelings of inadequacy, God can still use us? Paul’s experience shows us that our mission relies on God’s grace, which works through us when we let it.

The Gospel beautifully illustrates the moment Jesus calls Peter and the other disciples. After a fruitless night, Peter’s skeptical obedience leads him to a miraculous haul of fish. This act opens his eyes to Jesus’ true identity and his own frailty, leading him to say, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” But Jesus reassures him, inviting him to a new path, promising he will "become a fisher of men."

Peter’s response is one of complete surrender. He and his companions leave everything to follow Jesus. This moment nudges us to reflect on our own willingness to embrace Jesus’ call. Are we ready to trust Him, even when His requests seem daunting or far-fetched? Are we prepared to step away from our comfort zones, doubts, and fears to follow Him wholeheartedly?

As we contemplate these themes, let’s remember a few key things:

Trusting in God’s Plan:

The readings today emphasize that God’s call often comes in unexpected ways and at unexpected times. Like Peter, we may feel unworthy or ill-equipped for the mission, but Jesus reminds us, “Do not be afraid.” Trusting in God’s plan means surrendering our own agendas and allowing Him to work through us, even when the path ahead seems uncertain.

The Power of Grace:

Both Isaiah and Paul remind us that God’s grace is sufficient for us. We do not need to rely on our own strength or abilities; rather, we are called to rely on God’s grace, which transforms us and empowers us to fulfil our mission.

A Call to Mission:

The common thread in today’s readings is the call to mission. Whether we are called to be prophets, apostles, or “fishers of men,” we are all invited to participate in God’s work of building His Kingdom. This mission requires courage, trust, and a willingness to step out in faith.

Like Isaiah, Paul, and Peter, we are invited to recognize our unworthiness but also to trust in God’s grace and mercy. Let us pray for the courage to say, “Here I am, send me,” and to follow Jesus with wholehearted trust, knowing that He will provide all that we need to fulfil His mission. May we, like the disciples, leave behind our fears and doubts, and embrace the joy of being called to serve the Lord and His people. 

Happy Sunday