[Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8; Psalm 138; 1Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11]

As part of the Ordination Liturgy for deacons, the Bishop asks the priest in charge of the formation of the men ‘”Do you judge them to be worthy?’ in reply the priest  says ‘After inquiry among the people of Christ and upon recommendation of those concerned with their training, I testify that they have been found worthy.’  I have spoken with another deacon about this and we agreed that although the priest has testified to our worthiness, neither of us felt worthy to answer the call of the Lord. In this expression of our feeling, we were joining Isaiah, Paul and Peter, none of these great men in the Church felt worthy as described in our readings today. Whether it is that we are comfortable doing the things we are already doing, or whether we are comparing ourselves to others and thinking I could never do what they have done, these thoughts can influence our decision to follow Jesus, and they can get in the way of God’s plans for us.

In the first reading we hear how Isaiah expressed his doubt. He felt lost, he was a man of unclean lips, living amongst a people of unclean lips; and he believed he would die because he had seen the Lord. However, an angel cleansed his lips, taking away his guilt and convincing him to accept his calling with a newfound sense of enthusiasm – ‘Here I am! Send me!’

St Paul, in the extract from the 1st letter to the Corinthians reminds his readers that he was also unworthy. He actively persecuted the Church. Following his conversion, his unworthiness propelled him to spread the Good News with zeal; as he travelled extensively enduring many troubles, for the sake of the Lord.

In the Gospel we have St Peter; at that time still known as Simon; the man who would become the ‘fisher of men’ . He is blind to the ‘catch in plain sight’ as they thronged to get closer to the Lord. Simon could not see what was happening. He was too busy trying to earn a living and did not yet share in the Lord’s work to offer salvation. However, Jesus wanted Simon by his side and  for him to leave fishing to others. Jesus did not ask Simon directly. First of all, he asked a favour of him; he asked to borrow his boat so that he could talk to the people. Next Jesus directed Simon to pull out into deeper water and cast his net; reluctantly Simon agreed and had the catch of his life; there were so many fish he needed help to land them.[1] This is when Simon realised that he was in the presence of greatness, he knelt at Jesus’ feet and asked him to leave as he was a sinful man. Jesus saw past the weaknesses of Simon to help him realise his potential. Simon would become Peter, the rock upon which Jesus founded His Church.

There are often times in our life when we are called by the Lord. We make excuses in order to try and put it off. But God is persistent, He has a plan for us, and He needs us to listen. Years ago, I heard a talk by Cardinal Nichols who said that if you believe God is calling you, then you have to test it. This means exploring it, talking to someone you trust, praying about it and reacting to it. If it is not God then it will soon go away, but if it is God, He will persistently and gently keep calling you until you do respond.

That day when Simon, James and John put down their nets and followed Jesus is a momentous day in the history of the Church. As St Luke will continue to tell us in the Acts of the Apostles, Peter, James and John would go on to be crucial in the development of the early Church. Before that they would have to change, and their change started that day beside the lake when a stranger asked to borrow a boat and then said follow me.

Jesus calls each of us to follow Him, for us that also involves change. We need to move away from the darkness and step into the light. Jesus calls us despite our failings, Jesus knows all about us, He knows our weaknesses and calls us despite of them. Jesus sees the potential in every one of us and wants to help us to achieve our full potential, which is to return home with Him; and live with Him forever.

When Jesus calls, can we see past the busyness of our everyday lives to follow Him?

Our eternal future depends on how we respond.

Further Reading

Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

CCC 520, 618, 923, 1618, 1642, 2053: all are called to follow Christ
CCC 2144, 2732: awe in God’s presence versus presumption
CCC 631-644: the Apostles as witnesses of the Resurrection

The Liturgy Project – my reflection for the Diocesan website this week.

Please keep in your prayers this week

  • The sick and housebound, those who are dying and those who are grieving.
  • Father Jean-Patrice that he makes a full recovery.
  • The continued fight to protect all life from conception until natural death.
  • The Basingstoke Winter Night Shelter as it continues to support the homeless in our town.
  • Fr John Chadwick, who is ill at this time.
  • Those attending the 2nd session of the Baptism Preparation course this Sunday at St Bede’s.

Deacon Tony, 8th February 2025

[1] Placid Murray OSB, 100 Liturgical Homilies, [The Columba Press, Dublin, 1988]103.