5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
First Reading – Is. 6:1-2a. 3-8, Responsorial Psalm – Ps. 138, Second Reading – 1 Cor. 15: 1-11, Gospel – Lk. 1-11
The theme of vocation, or discerning and responding to God’s call, runs through all the readings of today’s Mass. Despite their human frailty and inadequacy, which they openly acknowledged, the Lord chose Isaiah, Paul and Peter to be his messengers. Each of them had to learn that God’s call had nothing to do with their worthiness or lack of it. A vocation is a creative gift of God who does not judge by human standards or depend on human excellence. If the Lord calls us, it is not because we are perfect, but because, through his Spirit, he will heal and strengthen us to manifest his glory and become his co-workers on earth.
Our first reading describes the call of the prophet Isaiah. Following an intense experience of God’s glory and majesty, Isaiah becomes acutely aware of his sinfulness and cries out: ‘What a wretched state I am in! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have looked at the King, the Lord of Hosts’ (Is 6:5). Despite his sense of unworthiness, the Lord calls him to be his messenger, his prophet, after sending an angel to purify him with a live coal: ‘See now, this has touched you lips, your sin is taken away, your iniquity is purged. Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: Whom shall I send? Who will be my messenger?’ (Is 6:7). Isaiah accepts the call and responds: ‘Here I am, send me’ (Is 6:8).
In the second reading, Paul reminds the Corinthians of the gospel he preached to them. He emphasizes that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day. Paul is a witness to these truths, having seen the risen Christ himself. This message is central to our faith and should be shared with others. Paul acknowledges that he is not worthy to be called an apostle because he persecuted the Church. However, he credits his apostleship to God’s grace working in him. “By the grace of God, I am what I am,” Paul says. This shows that any good we do is because of God’s help, not our own merit. It’s a reminder to rely on God’s grace in our own lives. Sharing our faith, like Paul, is essential. We may feel unworthy or inadequate, but God’s grace enables us to witness effectively. Our personal experiences of God’s grace can be powerful testimonies to others. We are called to share the gospel, trusting that God will work through us despite our weaknesses.
Peter, a fisherman, listens to Jesus and experiences a miraculous catch of fish. Despite feeling unworthy, Peter follows Jesus, leaving everything behind. The story of Peter helps us understand that there are things we need to leave behind in order to follow Jesus. Just as the disciples left their nets, which symbolized their livelihood and security, we are called to let go of things that hinder our spiritual growth. These “nets” can be habits, possessions, or relationships that keep us from a closer relationship with Jesus. This Gospel shows that growing in holiness requires saying yes to Jesus, working hard, and trusting God despite our imperfections. God calls us to follow Him and grow in our relationship with Him.