Sunday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

In other years: Saint Scholastica (480-547), twin sister of Saint Benedict

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 8 The Divine Office at Night
Mass: Is 6:1-2a, 3-8; Resp Ps 138; Resp 1Co 15:1-11; Lk 5:1-11

For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John.

In reflecting on today's readings, I am thinking about how God calls the seemingly most unlikely candidates to work for Him. First, we have Isaiah, self-proclaimed man of unclean lips. Yet Isaiah sees the Lord of hosts, a seraphim touches his lips and Isaiah's wickedness is removed; his sins purged. 'Here I am,' says a now eager Isaiah in response to the Lord's call, 'send me!' Then we have the fishermen: Simon Peter, another self-proclaimed sinful man, and James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They couldn't seem to get things right being unsuccessful after fishing all night long and having nothing to show for it. At the Lord's command, they lower their nets another time and pulled up so many fish that there nets were tearing! Their response? They left everything and followed Him.

Sometimes we can get so caught up in our sinfulness and imperfections that we feel unworthy of God's love and mercy. It is people like us that the Lord is calling. Remember what Jesus said to the Pharisees and their scribes, 'Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners' (Lk 5:32). The God of mercy and love sees us just as he saw Isaiah, Simon Peter, James and John. Jesus wants us to work for Him, embracing His love and mercy and sharing it with others. Jesus wants our nets to be overflowing and let our light shine before others, that they may see our good deeds and glorify our heavenly Father (Mt 5:16). Here am I, Lord, I come to do your will! 

The Lord implanted good things in us, they belong completely to Him. Now we are called to let them flourish, develop them, work with them. God asks us for nothing except what He has already given us. He has already given us the strength and grace to fulfill it.

(Sr Aquinata Böckmann, OSB)

Prick up the ears of your heart in order to hear the inner voice, make an effort to hear God speaking within. For that voice offers itself, presents itself, and never ceases to knock at the door of each of us.
(St Bernard of Clairvaux)

BY THE GRACE OF GOD I AM WHAT I AM. 

NB. Today's photo of my dear brother James with large mouth bass!