The readings for this Sunday speak of Christ’s call to us, and the mission given to each of us to follow him and to proclaim the Lord’s message.
The prophet Isaiah describes a vision of the Lord of Hosts (First Reading). Although overwhelmed by his own sinfulness, the prophet experiences the gift of forgiveness and answers the call to be the Lord’s messenger.
The Psalmist is full of praise and thanks for all the gifts that the Lord brings; he is overcome with gratitude that the Lord has answered his call.
In the Second Reading, St Paul tells the Corinthians that however unworthy his previous life has been, he has been given the grace to teach others. What he teaches has been handed down from the apostles and others who knew Jesus and witnessed his resurrection, and is the source of our belief.
In the Gospel we read of Jesus’s calling of Simon, James and John. Having fished all night without success, the disciples respond to Jesus’s invitation to ‘put out into deep water’, and are rewarded with an enormous catch of fish. Assuring them they have nothing to fear, Jesus gives them their mission as fishers of people.
This week, we pray that as we hear Christ calling us to our own unique mission, we will have the courage to put aside our fears of unworthiness. We ask the Lord for the grace to place all our faith and trust in him, and for the generosity to play our part in building his kingdom here on earth.