Thursday, February 4, 2016

Fifth Sunday of the Year: C

       "THE CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP"

First Reading: Isaiah 6:1-8
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:3-8,11
Gospel Reading: Luke 5:1-11

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. This passage gives some details of the call of Prophet Isaiah. He was called by God to be a prophet: but Isaiah acknowledged his unworthiness in the presence of God. God then purified him from his sins and appointed him to be His prophet. Isaiah immediately responded to God' call.

   * Second reading is from the fist letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. In this passage, Paul emphatically affirms  the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. This affirmation of Paul is the earliest affirmations of the early Church on the resurrection of Jesus. Further, Paul acknowledges that he is the least of all the Apostles, unfit to be called an Apostle, because he had earlier persecuted the Church.

"The Call of the First Disciples"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. This passage narrates the miraculous catch of fish by Peter and his companions and subsequent call of the first disciples by Jesus. When Peter realized that he is faced with an extraordinary miracle, an intervention of God through the person of Jesus, he acknowledged his own unworthiness and fell at the feet of Jesus. When Peter and his companions , James and John realized that the nearness of God, they fell on their knees just like men condemned to death, pleading for their lives. Jesus told them not to be afraid but to follow Him. Responding to Jesus' invitation, they brought their boats ashore, left everything they possessed and followed him. They lost their lives but won new ones.
Often, we too are afraid to be touched by God. It is too demanding and dangerous, because, we are afraid to be caught, afraid to be send by Him. Jesus who encountered Peter, James and John is inviting us too.
"It is not good to be too near a King, except when you are called and even such a call is a bad sign" - Ancient saying
"Christ did not appoint professors, but followers" -Soren Kierkegaard
"When Christ calls a man, he bid him come and die"- Dietrich Bonhoeffer.