Reflections with Deacon Matt

Reflection for Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time: February 6, 2022

Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8:
In this fascinating description of a vision experienced by the prophet, Isaiah, the glory and holiness of God is emphasized. Beholding and contemplating on God’s holiness and immeasurable goodness and power makes the author, and, consequently,  us more aware of our imperfections and sinfulness. Consider that, as this passage suggests… that as we   become closer to God and contemplate Him more, we are compelled to become more aware of our need to change and amend our lives, so as to ready ourselves to live in the Presence of God, forever. Let’s meditate and pray this week to become more aware of how we need to change our thoughts, prayers and behaviors to be more holy and pleasing to God. This is meant to be a labor of love; not a result of fear.

Psalm 138: “In the sight of the angels I will sing Your praises, Lord.”  The first verse of this psalm expresses public praise and thanksgiving to God for answered prayers. The second verse bursts with a bold proclamation of God’s kindness, truth, faithfulness and supply of strength, when needed. This verse expresses great faith that we can always rely upon our God for help and attentive responses to our pleas for assistance. The third verse promises that “Kings”, or other representatives of earthly power will subserviently recognize and  submit themselves to God’s superiority; offering worship, thanks and glory to God for His transcendent wisdom, power and authority. The last verse reiterates expressions of faith and trust in God’s kind,  loving and attentive provisions for us. If we contemplate God’s faithfulness and attentiveness, we can only be tranquil, despite this stressful world’s passing circumstances.

1 Cor 15:1-11: In this letter, Paul repeats the message we just read in the first two readings.  We can be confident in God’s faithful and enduring love for us. We must cultivate gratitude within ourselves for the salvation that God is offering us, via Jesus’ Sacrifice of His life for our salvation. Paul, himself thanks God for his own, personally being saved by Jesus and for his (Paul’s) being given a mission to evangelize others and to share the faith he received. Similarly, we are called to give glory, thanks and praise to God and to share our faith, by  witnessing to God’s goodness, benevolence and extraordinary generosity to us via Jesus’ saving us, personally and individually. Each and all of us are called to share our faith and to evangelize  others. There are no exceptions! Like St. Paul, we are called to be humble. God is the source of any virtue within us; not us.

Luke 5:1-11:  Today, we are reminded as the Apostles were, that we are called to share our faith and to evangelize others. Yes, like Peter, we feel ill-equipped and incompetent to help save others when we can barely manage ourselves or can’t even do that. The answer is as today’s Gospel shows: we must rely totally on Jesus. We must focus completely on Him. We must listen to His words and let ourselves be filled with them. We must be willing to “cast out our nets in obedience.” That means we must make efforts to encourage others to pray, to attend Mass and to have faith in the Lord; even when we or they don’t feel like it or think that it’s impossible. Peter and the other Apostles listened and obeyed and look what happened! We can expect similar miracles if we leave all and follow Jesus!

Be amazed at the results! 
 
Deacon Matt