“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective.” – 1 Corinthians 15:10
God calls unworthy people to do His work. That theme runs through the Scripture readings for this Sunday, as exemplified by the vocation stories of the prophet Isaiah, Saint Paul, and Saint Peter.
The First Reading depicts the prophet Isaiah and his vision of the Heavenly Throne surrounded by choirs of angels. Knowing that a sinner would undoubtedly be destroyed by a mere glimpse of God, Isaiah trembles with humility and fear before the Almighty, crying out, “Woe is me, I am doomed! For I am a man of unclean lips, living among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” (Isaiah 6:5)
Yet, it seems the Lord had other plans. He sent an angel to Isaiah, carrying a hot coal from the Altar. The angel pressed this burning ember to Isaiah’s lips, at once purging him of his sin and sending him on his way to proclaim the Word of the Lord. By God’s grace a man with unclean lips was equipped to preach words of purity and truth.
The Second Reading comes from the 15th chapter of Saint Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. In this particular passage he reminds the Christians in Corinth of the Good News he first shared with them; that Jesus Christ had died and risen from the dead for the salvation of the world. Paul also reflects upon the fact that he is completely undeserving of his role as an apostle, because of his previous crimes against the Christian community. Yet, God chose him to bring the Good News to the Gentiles. His witness points to the extraordinary grace of God’s love – it can transform the most adamant anti-Christian into the most prolific preacher of the Gospel.
Fishermen from Jacmal, Haiti – "Put out into the deep." (Luke 5:4)
Finally, this Sunday’s Gospel story reveals how God’s grace converted a simple fisherman into a Fisher of Men. Peter had been toiling through the night with no success when Jesus climbed into his boat and commanded that he again “put out into the deep” (Luke 5:4). When his obedience produced an overwhelming catch of fish, Peter fell to his knees before Jesus, and, reminiscent of Isaiah, declared that he was a sinful man, unworthy of the Lord’s company. Instead, Jesus told Peter to follow Him and have no fear.
The idea of being called, though unworthy, is especially relevant during this Jubilee Year of Mercy. It is a notion at the very heart of Pope Francis’ own faith journey. The Holy Father chose the phrase “Miserando Atque Eligendo” for his episcopal motto, which translates as “by having mercy and by choosing.” It is a reference to the Call of Matthew the Tax Collector and a reflection of Francis’ own feelings of gratitude for having been called, despite his unworthiness, to follow the Lord. Clearly, the Pope feels compelled to share the mercy and love of God, which he has personally experienced, just as Isaiah, Peter, and Paul once did.
The Lord has called you and me in the same way as Isaiah, Peter, Paul, and Pope Francis. He looked upon us with eyes of mercy, and although we are broken, weak, and imperfect, He has chosen us to bring His love to the world. By His grace, we can, and we will.
Merciful Father, purify our hearts and make us, your humble servants, great messengers of your love. Amen.
