Fr Erik Tjeunfin, sx
Reflection on the readings of the 5th Sunday of ORDINARY TIME YEAR C.
Is 6:1-2,3-8/ Ps 138:1-5,7-8/ 1 Cor 15:1-11/ Luk 5:1-11
Every work and commitment, that we are called to do, demands us to leave something and someone behind. The readings of this 5th Sunday in ordinary time present to us the divine call towards our ancestors of faith; Isaiah, Simon Peter and Paul. Prophet Isaiah was called by God while he was in the temple and was mulling over the sins of the people. He realized that he lived among the unclean people and he himself a man of unclean lips. But God purified him and Isaiah was aware that God called him, “Here I am Lord, send me” (Is 6:8).
While St Paul, in the second reading, described himself to be called hardly as an apostle because of his past corrupted life, however by God’s grace, he is made as an apostle. God encountered him on his trip and converted him. Also, in the Gospel reading, Jesus came across with Simon Peter who was deeply disappointed because of not catching up fish at the whole night. Being amazed at the miracle done by Jesus and acknowledging his unworthiness, Jesus called him to be his disciple.
The commonalities of these calls are God initiatively met them where they were but not in other way around. He encountered them in midst of their situation and struggle of work and He called them out. God lowered down His mighty and touched them with His presence and drew them out from their darkness (cf Ps 143/144). The power of His work and Word transformed and impelled them to leave behind their old life in order to follow Him.
Furthermore, being called by God is neither a right nor a privilege but it is grace. Being aware of the divine call, the ancestors of faith recognized their unworthiness. Because God brought light to them and they saw clearly their dark sides. Their humility to accept an unusual order of God’s Word paved their way to be His followers. Simon allowed Jesus to use his boat for the preaching. He was asked by Jesus to catch fish at day/noon time which goes against the uncommon knowledge and tradition. It turned upside down his understanding. But Simon allowed himself to be led by Him and as a result Simon caught many fish.
What can we learn from the sacramental experience of our faith’s ancestor? Our God moves towards us and can meet us where we are. Because Every place and situation of ours is sacramental; “His glory fills the whole earth” (Is 6:3). He came to purify our way of life and understanding of Him, strengthen and call us to follow Him. Marriage, religious/consecrated and single blessedness life, including our good occupation are God’s call. All of these calls demand us to leave behind our parents, house, hobbies, etc. Like Isaiah, Simon and Paul, we are invited to trust in His salvific and transformative Word and to be humble in recognizing our weaknesses. In addition, we should allow God to use our situation, house, office, car, phone, etc as means for evangelization as done by Simon who lent his boat to Jesus. I appreciated our parishioners in Mongo town - Mary, Queen of the Apostles Parish, Mongo Bendugo-Sierra Leon because every Wednesday afternoon, they allow us to have our prayer meeting and bible sharing in their houses. The attendance is fluctuational but the fact that each of them offered his or her house (and even some of their family members are Muslims) to be used for evangelization is something meaningful. We should commit to and collaborate with God, and He will act on our behalf (cf Ps 37:5). Amen
Fr Erik Tjeunfin, sx
Reflection on the readings of the 5th Sunday of ORDINARY TIME YEAR C.
Is 6:1-2,3-8/ Ps 138:1-5,7-8/ 1 Cor 15:1-11/ Luk 5:1-11
Every work and commitment, that we are called to do, demands us to leave something and someone behind. The readings of this 5th Sunday in ordinary time present to us the divine call towards our ancestors of faith; Isaiah, Simon Peter and Paul. Prophet Isaiah was called by God while he was in the temple and was mulling over the sins of the people. He realized that he lived among the unclean people and he himself a man of unclean lips. But God purified him and Isaiah was aware that God called him, “Here I am Lord, send me” (Is 6:8).
While St Paul, in the second reading, described himself to be called hardly as an apostle because of his past corrupted life, however by God’s grace, he is made as an apostle. God encountered him on his trip and converted him. Also, in the Gospel reading, Jesus came across with Simon Peter who was deeply disappointed because of not catching up fish at the whole night. Being amazed at the miracle done by Jesus and acknowledging his unworthiness, Jesus called him to be his disciple.
The commonalities of these calls are God initiatively met them where they were but not in other way around. He encountered them in midst of their situation and struggle of work and He called them out. God lowered down His mighty and touched them with His presence and drew them out from their darkness (cf Ps 143/144). The power of His work and Word transformed and impelled them to leave behind their old life in order to follow Him.
Furthermore, being called by God is neither a right nor a privilege but it is grace. Being aware of the divine call, the ancestors of faith recognized their unworthiness. Because God brought light to them and they saw clearly their dark sides. Their humility to accept an unusual order of God’s Word paved their way to be His followers. Simon allowed Jesus to use his boat for the preaching. He was asked by Jesus to catch fish at day/noon time which goes against the uncommon knowledge and tradition. It turned upside down his understanding. But Simon allowed himself to be led by Him and as a result Simon caught many fish.
What can we learn from the sacramental experience of our faith’s ancestor? Our God moves towards us and can meet us where we are. Because Every place and situation of ours is sacramental; “His glory fills the whole earth” (Is 6:3). He came to purify our way of life and understanding of Him, strengthen and call us to follow Him. Marriage, religious/consecrated and single blessedness life, including our good occupation are God’s call. All of these calls demand us to leave behind our parents, house, hobbies, etc. Like Isaiah, Simon and Paul, we are invited to trust in His salvific and transformative Word and to be humble in recognizing our weaknesses. In addition, we should allow God to use our situation, house, office, car, phone, etc as means for evangelization as done by Simon who lent his boat to Jesus. I appreciated our parishioners in Mongo town - Mary, Queen of the Apostles Parish, Mongo Bendugo-Sierra Leon because every Wednesday afternoon, they allow us to have our prayer meeting and bible sharing in their houses. The attendance is fluctuational but the fact that each of them offered his or her house (and even some of their family members are Muslims) to be used for evangelization is something meaningful. We should commit to and collaborate with God, and He will act on our behalf (cf Ps 37:5). Amen
Fr Erik Tjeunfin, sx