Reflection by Deacon Matt

Reflection for 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time: 

Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8: This passage describes the profound spiritual experience of Isaiah as he was equipped for and called to service of the Lord. When the prophet sees the holiness of God and the powerful intensity of the Seraphim who are worshiping and praising the Lord, Isaiah has a sense of his own imperfections that are an obstacle to his praising and serving God, adequately. Perhaps this week we might reflect on the fact that none of us is worthy or adequate to loving, worshiping and/or serving God as we ought to. Like Isaiah, we must rely upon God to give us the healing and the graces and virtues we require in order to fulfill God’s missions for each one of us. Trust in God and submit to His dominion over us. Trust in God!
 
Psalm 138: “In the sight of the angels, I will sing Your praises, Lord.” As Isaiah joined the Seraphim in loving, adoring and serving God in today’s first reading, now we join the angels in loving, worshiping and thanking God. We approach God with humility, knowing that we are totally dependent upon God’s benevolence in making us worthy to come into God’s Presence. God indeed does “build up strength within us,” as the psalmist indicates! Otherwise, we are merely weak and flawed human beings who rely upon God for any virtues or worth that we have within us.
As we’re reminded in the third verse of the psalm, our God has dominion over all the Kings of the earth. Our God is supreme over all! We must remember that and reverence God, accordingly. Reflect that, as the psalmist indicates that our God has a plan to fulfill particular missions through each one of us. May God’s Will be done by each and all of us! 
 
1 Cor 15:1-11:  If there’s a binding theme in this Sunday’s readings, it’s that we must never let ourselves forget that we’re totally dependent upon God for our Salvation and redemption. As St. Paul indicates in this passage, no matter how hard we work, we can’t earn our way into the Heavenly Kingdom through our own efforts or under our own power. Instead, let’s approach God, humbly; with cognizance that we can only be saved through the Redemption won for us by Jesus, via His Sacrifice of His life for us, on the Cross. It’s left to us to submit to Jesus’ mercy and accept His eternal gift of Salvation. Let’s not let pride or “delusions of personal worthiness” be obstacles to our being saved. St. Paul is extending gentle words of caution to us. Let’s heed them!
 
Luke 5:1-11:  So, today we reflect upon how we must entrust ourselves, those we love, and our whole lives to God. Here before us, we have a vivid example of what can happen when we submit to God’s Will. Peter and the other fisherman enjoy a miraculous “catch” after submitting to Jesus’ instruction and leadership. Like Isaiah in today’s first reading, Peter recognizes that he’s in the Presence of a true Man of God. Peter, like Isaiah, recognizes his own sinfulness and unworthiness.

Despite Peter’s and the others’ unworthiness, Jesus calls them anyway. Jesus gradually equips them and us to know, love, adore and serve Him. Will we give up our routine and manner of life to serve God more faithfully and meaningfully?  Will we pray to know God’s Will for us and work to do what God is asking of us? 
 
Lower the nets! 
Deacon Matt