February 10 // 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading I: Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8
Responsorial Psalm 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-8
Reading II: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 or 15:3-8, 11
Gospel: Luke 5:1-11

We are called by God to any number of things; the baby cries; the neighbor calls; the love of your life proposes. Could any of this be God calling? In today’s Gospel Jesus calls Peter to put out to sea and cast his nets. Peter has already done that and met with no success. How did he know this invitation was one he should take seriously? How do any of us know?

“Do not be afraid” is said 365 times in the Bible. And still, it is not enough to calm our fears. When it was said in today’s Gospel those simple words carried with them an assurance and an empowerment to follow Jesus.

I wonder if Harriet Tubman heard words of empowerment that helped her free a thousand slaves.

I wonder if Ida B. Wells heard words of encouragement that urged her to expose lynching as barbaric. I wonder if someone whispered to her, “Do not be afraid.”

Sojourner Truth said that God called her to leave the city and to go to the countryside testifying to the hope that was in her.

Harriet, Ida, and Sojourner cast out their nets so far and so wide in seas so rough and formidable that many people gained civil rights who had none.

And now the nets are given to us. What is their purpose? Where do we cast them? What do we catch?

Those are questions we ask God who has unique plans for each one of us.

Blessings,

Deni Mack, DMin
Pastoral Associate