The readings for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time offer profound insights into the nature of God and humanity. They reveal a God of immense power and love, reaching out to humanity despite our inherent frailties and imperfections. These scriptures resonate deeply, illustrating that divine calling is not reserved for the perfect but is freely extended to those who acknowledge their weaknesses, much like the experiences of Sts. Peter and Paul.
In the first reading from Isaiah, we encounter a powerful reaction to the divine presence. Isaiah’s exclamation, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts! The whole earth is full of his glory!” reflects an overwhelming encounter with God’s holiness. Yet, Isaiah’s immediate response, “Woe is me, for I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips,” highlights a common human feeling of unworthiness in the face of divine perfection. This recognition of personal imperfection isn’t self-deprecation but a profound understanding of the gap between human fallibility and divine holiness. Isaiah’s realization underscores a crucial point: God’s call isn’t contingent on our flawless nature but on our willingness to be instruments of His word, despite our shortcomings. This mirrors the lives of Sts. Peter and Paul, who, despite their imperfections, became pillars of the early Church.
The Apostle Paul’s acknowledgment of his unworthiness to be called an apostle further echoes this theme. He confesses to persecuting the Church of God, a significant transgression. Yet, through God’s grace and forgiveness, Paul was not only redeemed but also entrusted with a mission of immense importance. This transformation exemplifies that God’s call transcends past failings. It’s not about who we were, but who we are willing to become in response to His invitation. St. Paul’s journey from persecutor to apostle is a powerful testament to the transformative power of divine grace, a grace also profoundly evident in the life of St. Peter.
The Gospel reading, depicting Jesus and Peter’s encounter, vividly illustrates this dynamic. Peter’s reaction after the miraculous catch of fish – “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord” – mirrors Isaiah’s and Paul’s sentiments of unworthiness. Peter, confronted with Jesus’s divinity, is acutely aware of his human limitations. However, Jesus’s response, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people,” is pivotal. It refutes the notion that worthiness precedes calling. Instead, it emphasizes availability and willingness. Like St. Peter, we are called not because of our inherent holiness, but because of our availability to answer God’s call. The lives of both Sts. Peter and Paul demonstrate this principle vividly. Peter, the impulsive fisherman, and Paul, the zealous Pharisee, were far from perfect, yet they were chosen to be foundational figures in Christianity.
These examples of Isaiah, St. Paul, and St. Peter, these monumental figures of faith, reveal a profound truth: God utilizes our weaknesses to manifest His strength. They understood their limitations but recognized the boundless grace of God. As Paul himself articulated in his second letter to the Corinthians, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” This isn’t merely a theological concept but a practical reality. Our imperfections, acknowledged and offered to God, become avenues through which divine power operates. The very flaws we perceive as disqualifying us can become the spaces where God’s strength shines most brilliantly. Think of St. Peter’s denial of Christ and subsequent leadership, or St. Paul’s past persecution of Christians fueling his apostolic zeal – weaknesses transformed into strengths through divine grace.
The wisdom encapsulated in the aphorism, “God writes straight with crooked lines,” beautifully illustrates this point. God’s plan for us isn’t derailed by our imperfections; rather, He weaves our imperfections into the fabric of His divine design. We are invited to “launch out into the deep,” to take risks in faith, trusting in God’s unwavering presence. This call to risk, to “lower our nets,” might evoke fear, uncertainty, and a sense of inadequacy. Yet, like Sts. Peter and Paul who faced immense challenges and persecutions, we are assured, “Do not be afraid.” God accompanies us in our ventures of faith, providing strength amidst our weaknesses.
Ultimately, the call to ministry, to service, to a life of faith, isn’t about achieving worldly success but about faithfulness to God’s call. As Mother Teresa wisely stated, “God doesn’t require us to succeed; he only requires us to try.” Our value lies not in our accomplishments but in our trust in God and our response to His invitation. Even in our failures, on the very grounds of our shortcomings, God calls us to begin again, to cast our nets anew, and to continue trusting in Him. This constant invitation to “start over,” to seek God’s guidance in prayer, and to allow ourselves to be loved, is the essence of a life lived in faith, a life exemplified by the enduring legacies of Sts. Peter and Paul. Like Peter, when faced with doubts and difficulties, and like Paul, in the face of adversity, we are called to listen to Christ’s command: “Lower your nets,” and embark anew with faith.
Just as Abdul Kalam insightfully noted, “FAIL” can mean “First Attempt In Learning,” and “END” is not the “End,” but “Effort Never Dies,” and even a “NO” can signify “Next Opportunities.” Embracing this perspective, we are encouraged to take risks with Jesus, to continually heed His command to “lower our nets,” knowing that in our weakness, His strength prevails, just as it did in the lives of Sts. Peter and Paul.
God is Good—All the time.
Rev. Yvans Jazon Pastor
