5th Sunday of Ordinary Time

What can we learn from today’s scripture readings!

We hear about three men who did great things for God – Isaiah, Paul and Peter.

Yet, strange as it may seem, each of them suffered from an inferiority complex. None of them was a volunteer in the sense of offering themselves spontaneously. However, they were all called by God, and accepted that call somewhat reluctantly, aware of their own unworthiness, inadequacy and sinfulness.

Isaiah cried out : “Lord, I am not fit for such a task……”
Paul exclaimed: “Of all the apostles, I am the least..in fact I do not deserve the name apostle…”
Peter : “Lord, depart from me. I am a sinful man…”

The Lord’s response to them is also His response to us: “My grace is sufficient for you”. Yes, nothing is impossible to God. When we have experienced our own weakness, God can strengthen us – our own emptiness God can fill us – our own poverty, God can enrich us. Conscious always of our own weakness and our constant need of God’s help, we then become available to Him, to do His work – to be channels of His grace to others – instruments of His peace.

We have a fallen nature, and without the grace of God, we are unable to work out our own salvation, much less that of anyone else.

Each of us needs a true friend – someone who accepts us as we are; who does not condemn us or write us off because of our sins and weaknesses – someone who believes in our potential for good and who challenges us to keep trying, and to believe in our capability of better things. Christ, our everyday friend, helps us to accept ourselves and others as He does everyone.

The paradox – strength arising out of weakness and failure – it was at the very moment Peter recognised and acknowledged his sinfulness that Jesus called him to become a fisher of men.

So, too, with us, when we are most aware of our sinfulness, God can call us through our inadequacies to do great things for Him, relying not on our own strength, but rather on His grace.

Another important point in these scripture readings is the fact that, once forgiven by God, these prophets and apostles were not preoccupied by their unworthiness, remaining depressed by their failings, but in gratitude for thus being released for mission they courageously and joyfully go forth in answer to their call. As Isaiah exclaims: “Here I am, Lord. Send me.” May we have the courage to follow suit.

Indeed, our Faith assures us that Christ loves us so much that He died for our sins. We are therefore released from our burden of guilt, and free to follow Him, by helping to seek out the lost, the wounded, the sinners – bringing them to Him to be healed, forgiven and saved…. thereby acting as His instruments in spreading the Good News of the Gospel.

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