“Lower your nets for a catch”
The readings for this coming Sunday all have a common theme of being called by the Lord for a special ministry. In the first reading we hear the call story of the prophet Isaiah, who sees a vision in the Temple in which he hears angels praising the Lord (saying the Holy, Holy, Holy, which we sing in Mass). At first he is afraid and claims that he is unworthy to see such things, but then the angel of the Lord comes and makes him worthy. The story ends with the Lord asking: "Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?" Isaiah responds with: "Here I am, send me!"
In the second reading, St. Paul tells the church in Corinth about his own experience of being called. After telling the basic Gospel message and listing off many of those who were called before him, he then speaks of himself saying: "Last of all... he appeared to me. For I am the least of the apostles... because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective." Paul is essentially saying that he is not worthy of the call, but he has been called by God anyway, and that God has worked effectively through him.
In the Gospel, we hear of Jesus getting into the boats of fishermen and telling them to "Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch." Peter and his coworkers are skeptical of listening to a carpenter about fishing advice after having spent the night fishing with little success. But once they listen and trust, an amazing catch follows. Peter, like Isaiah and Paul, is overcome and does not feel worthy of the Lord, and we are told, "he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man." But the Lord, just like with Isaiah and Paul, isn't worried about Peter's shortcomings or failures; he recognizes the greatness within him that Peter can't see. And so Jesus says, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men."
As we move forward in our own walks with the Lord, often we think we are unworthy of the name of Christian. When someone asks us a question about our faith, we feel ill-equipped or unworthy of giving an answer. When a ministry need arises in the Church, we think that someone else should do it because we aren't good enough. To all of this, the Lord clearly thinks differently. Our God has a long history of choosing those who are weak and ill-equipped to do incredible things. So, take courage today and do not be afraid! For the Lord calls us all to work to build up his Kingdom, even when we don't think we are worthy... and often, perceived unworthiness, aka humility, is what God looks for the most.
Want to prepare your heart and mind for Sunday's Mass? Click here to find the readings.