Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 75 (NAB Translation)
This was a short season, and it is the last time we celebrate Ordinary Time on a Sunday for several months ahead.
Reading 1
Isaiah 6:1-2A, 3-8
This week’s first reading is a mystical experience shared by the prophet Isaiah. He witnesses a vision of the Lord in heaven with the seraphim angels around His throne. The power and majesty is so captivating that he cannot look away until he realizes that he is completely unworthy to have seen such a sight. This makes him genuinely fear for his life. Many times we question our own worthiness to follow the Lord, and make excuses not to follow Him. Then the Lord questions our willingness to follow. “Who will go for us?”
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-8
- (1c) In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
Reading 2
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
This week’s second reading continues in the letter to the Corinthians. The tone has changed in this section where we hear St Paul responding to some accusations and questions about his authority to proclaim and teach the Gospel. He reminds the Church that this teaching is a gift received from the Lord, and that he too was chosen by the Lord in the midst of his sin. None of us are too far from the merciful hand of the Lord.
Alleluia Matthew 4:19
- Alleluia, alleluia.
Come after me and I will make you fishers of men.
Gospel
Luke 5:1-11
This week’s Gospel from St Luke is his account of the calling of St Peter and the first Apostles. Like Isaiah was overtaken by his feeling of unworthiness, St Peter shares a similar experience when he witnesses first-hand the incredible power of Jesus. This sudden and personal encounter with the Lord’s love and power is how St Peter is convinced that following Jesus is worth dropping everything at the very moment to follow the Lord. In our own lives, we sometimes expect the Lord to respond in similar and dramatic ways, but that’s not usually how we experience God. Even in the depths of our mess and pain, the Lord is capable of coming down to the lowly to offer His grace and love. He may be in the still, small voice that calls out to you, seeking your heart.
Gospel meditation from Bishop Vásquez
Reflection question
“Put out into the deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” But we have already tried that, is a paraphrase of Simon Peter’s response. Doing as the Lord asked, they filled two boats to overflowing with fish. When has the Lord encountered you and done the unexpected? What is the Lord asking that you may be reluctant to do?
