Friday, February 5, 2016

OT V (Feb 7, 2016):  Is 6:1-2a, 3-8; I Cor 15:1-11; Lk 5:1-11

The story is told of a great circus performer by the name of Blondin who stretched a long steel cable across Niagara Falls. During high winds and without a safety net, he walked, ran, and even danced across the tightrope to the amazement and delight of the large crowd of people who watched. He even took a wheelbarrow full of bricks and pushed it effortlessly across the cable, from one side of the falls to the other. Blondin then turned to the crowd and asked, "Now, how many of you believe that I could push a man across the wire in the wheelbarrow?" The vote was unanimous. Everyone cheered and held their hands high. They all believed he could do it!

"Then," asked Blondin, "would one of you please volunteer to be that man?" As quickly as the hands went up, they went back down. Not a single person would volunteer to ride in the wheelbarrow and to trust his life to Blondin.
All of us here today believe in Jesus Christ - that's why we came to Mass, but how much have we put that faith into practice? Often we are content to have Jesus sit in our boat, to hear his teaching and feel the comfort of his presence. But when he asks something of us, when he pushes us out of our comfort zone, we resist. That's why we get stuck with empty nets. He wants to fill our nets, as he filled Peter's. He just needs us to trust him a little bit more, to climb into his wheelbarrow, to put out into deep water.
One of the few creatures on earth that can out-jump Michael Jordon is the Impala. This is an African deer with a supercharged spring. It has a vertical leap of over 10 feet and can broad jump over 30 feet. You would think that the zoos of the world would find it impossible to keep such an animal enclosed. Not so! It's rather easy. Because the experts discovered something about the Impala. It will not jump unless it can see where it is going to land. Therefore, a solid wall even 6 feet tall is a sufficient enclosure. Lots of Christians have the Impala problem. They won't take a leap in faith unless they have all the answers in advance about where the leap will take them.

In the incident in today's Gospel, Jesus preached from Peter's boat to a large crowd jammed together at the edge of the water. When the teaching had ended, Jesus told Peter to pull out into deeper water for a catch of fish.  In matters of fishing, Peter was an expert, while Jesus was only a carpenter.  Hence Peter, perhaps not wanting Jesus to look foolish, explained, "Master, we have worked hard all night long, caught nothing." Peter might have added that fish come to the surface in the Sea of Galilee only at night, or that the presence and noise of people would frighten the remaining fish away.  Instead he said, “Nevertheless, if You wish it, I will lower the nets.” As a result of Peter’s obedience and surrender in the leap of faith he got a great catch of fish and then Jesus called him to fish for men. He didn’t know where it would land him to be a disciple of Jesus, yet he accepted his call.

God’s call is always unexpected. St. Paul was galloping to Damascus to persecute the Christians there. On his way, he received the call of Jesus. The Old Testament gives us numerous examples of God’s call. And all of them came unexpectedly. Moses was tending his sheep on Mount Sinai, when he was called. The Judges Gideon, Esther and Deborah received their calls to take up a specific mission and the call came unexpectedly.
A feeling of sinfulness came upon them all; they felt totally unfit for the task, and tried to decline it. When Moses was called he said, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh! Moses hesitated to say “Yes” to God. When Isaiah saw the overwhelming glory of God his sinfulness over took him. Jeremiah protested, “I know not how to speak. I am too young. When Jesus called St. Peter he said, “Lord, go away from me. I am a sinful man.”

The Good News of today’s Gospel is that our sinfulness -- our pride and self-centeredness – does not repel God. Our God is a God Who gives sinners a new start.   It is important that we acknowledge our sinfulness.  Our response must be modeled on that of the tax collector in the parable:   "Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner" (Lk 18:13). The recognition of our inadequacy and sin is necessary for us, if we are to be willing and able to receive transformation through God’s grace. Isaiah, Paul, and Peter teach us that even the greatest among us stand in need of conversion. God, Who calls us and commissions us for His service, wants us to realize His presence everywhere and to remain in readiness to speak and act for Him in our life-circumstances as He shall direct.

God responded to their sinfulness by reassuring them of His help. To Moses he promised, “I will certainly be with you.” Isaiah was touched with the divine fire. Jeremiah was told, “Have no fear; I am with you.” Peter was assured, “Do not be afraid, from now on it is men you will catch.”
Each of us has a unique mission in the Church.   God has a different call for each of us. Because each of us is unique, each of us has a mission which no one else can fulfill.  God will use all of us, and particularly what is unique in us, to bring this mission to fulfillment.  Our response must be like that of Isaiah: “Here I am, Lord…send me."  "I’ll do it.  I’ll play my part.  I’ll speak to that neighbor, that coworker, that friend, that relative. Be with me and strengthen me in this mission.
As we continue with this Holy Mass, let’s us listen intently and attentively to his call and carry out his mission for our life today and every day.







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