09 February  2025

Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 6:1-2a.3-8; Ps 138; 1 Cor. 15:1-11; Lk 5:1-11

Theme:” though the Lord is exalted, he cares for the lowly,” (Ps.138 :6)

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts

The themes running through the three readings (excluding the Psalm) are firstly, being  called by the LORD in Isaiah’s experience and by Jesus in Peter and Paul’s experiences; secondly, all three feeling and expressing their unworthiness; and thirdly, the LORD/Jesus coming to their rescue and giving them strength to follow the call.

     Isaiah has an extra-ordinary vision of the LORD sitting on a throne, raised on high with Seraphim above him, calling to one another in praise of God: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts. The entire earth is filled with his glory. The foundations shook and the house was filled with smoke. His vision is of the LORD in the Temple but Isaiah is in his house – his context. This echoes the appearance of the LORD on Mount Sinai to Moses – all God’s people are called to be in a Covenant with the LORD God. The smoke could be that of incense coming from the Holy of Holies with the Ark of the Covenant – the LORD on the Throne surrounded by angels – the LORD is the High Priest interceding for the people through Isaiah. Isaiah is overwhelmed by having a vision of the LORD God and still being alive but feeling totally unworthy. He is aware of his weakness in approaching the LORD God and of being among a people who no longer approach the LORD nor obey the Covenant. God sends a Seraphim (‘burning ones’) to purify Isaiah’s lips with fire. Thus, a sinful man in the presence of the Holy One is not doomed, because God took the initiative to provide atonement and cleansing because Isaiah was contrite. The Holy One now calls for someone to send to the people of unclean lips and Isaiah answers: Here am I! Send me.

‘The Way’

In 1 Cor. 15 Paul speals about the calling of the apostles (the Gospel gives us one such a narration) who then spread the Good News of Christ’s death and resurrection which show God’s initiative to provide atonement and cleansing for all humankind. As the Holy One appeared to Isaiah so the resurrected and glorified Jesus appeared to many including all his chosen disciples. Paul sees himself as the last to see Jesus, the Christ. He feels unworthy because he was a persecutor of those who followed ‘The Way’. The ‘burning fire’ is God’s grace through Jesus’ life, death and resurrection which purified Paul to become a ‘worthy’ messenger to the Gentiles.

     We come to the Gospel for today. Jesus needs space because of the crowds that are following him. He gets into Simon’s boat. As Rabbis do, Jesus sits and teaches the people. When Jesus had finished speaking, he told Simon to put his net into the water. Simon, an expert fisherman told Jesus that they had tried all night (the right time to fish) and caught nothing but humbly says he will obey Jesus. The enormous catch of fish forced them to call to James and John in a second boat to come and help them. “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”  For he and all of his companions were amazed at the catch they had made. Like Isaiah and Paul, Simon and his partners are overwhelmed by this bountiful and powerful person and Simon feels totally unworthy in Jesus’ presence.  Jesus assures them not to be afraid but to know that by his power they will bring people to God. Their response is like the man who found the pearl of great price – they left everything and everyone to follow this person obviously filled with power of the LORD God.

For Reflection and Discussion: 1. In what circumstance(s) have you been overwhelmed by your unworthiness in the presence of Jesus/God? 2. What has happened when you let Jesus/God into your boat/heart?

Bibliography: Hayford, Jack W. (General Editor) Spirit Filled Life Bible (Nashville:1991); The Daily Missal (Paulines Publications, Africa:2012); www.biblegateway.com â€“ New Catholic Bible (NCB)

This week’s Sunday Liturgy Commentary was prepared by
Bernadette Teresa Chellew, KZN, South Africa, Bat Kol Alumna 2008

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