The Call to Discipleship:
Encountering the Divine
A Reflection on:
The 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time
And how all 3 Readings Connect.
1st Reading: Isaiah 6:1-8
(A Vision of God in the Temple)
2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
(Paul's Testament of the Resurrection)
Gospel Reading: Luke 5:1-11
(Jesus Calls the 1st Disciples)
The readings for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time weave together a profound theme of divine calling and human unworthiness that become life-changing through God's grace. Each reading presents a powerful encounter with the divine, leading to an empowering mission.
In Isaiah 6:1-8, we witness the prophet's dramatic vision in the Temple. Upon encountering God's overwhelming glory, Isaiah's immediate response is a deep awareness of his unworthiness: "Woe is me, I am doomed! For I am a man of unclean lips." Yet God's response is not condemnation but purification, as the seraph touches Isaiah's lips with the burning coal. This divine action transforms Isaiah's unworthiness into readiness for a mission, leading to his famous response: "Here I am, send me!"
This theme of human inadequacy met by God's grace continues in 1 Corinthians 15:1-11. Paul, reflecting on his apostleship, acknowledges his unworthiness: "I am the least of the apostles, not fit to be called an apostle because I persecuted the Church of God." Yet, like Isaiah, Paul experiences transformative grace: "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective."
The Gospel reading from Luke 5:1-11 beautifully culminates these themes. Simon Peter, experiencing Jesus' miraculous power in the extraordinary catch of fish, falls to his knees declaring, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man." This mirrors Isaiah's reaction in the Temple. Yet Jesus transforms Peter's admission of unworthiness into a call to mission: "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men."
The Mission we must all have in our lives,
is to draw others for Jesus.
The spiritual focus today centers on three interconnected truths:
First, authentic encounters with God naturally lead us to recognize our unworthiness. This isn't meant to paralyze us with guilt but to prepare us for grace.
Second, God's response to our acknowledged unworthiness is not rejection but truly life-changing. The very awareness of our limitations becomes the foundation for receiving God's grace.
Third, today's transformation all leads to a mission. Isaiah becomes a prophet, Paul an apostle, and Peter a fisher of men. Our encounters with God are never meant to be merely personal experiences but are always oriented toward service to others.
For the Catholic faithful today, these readings offer profound encouragement. They remind us that our sense of inadequacy before God's call isn't an obstacle but often the very prerequisite for receiving His grace. Like Isaiah, Paul, and Peter, we're invited to let our awareness of unworthiness be transformed into availability for God's mission.
This pattern of encounter, recognition of unworthiness, transformation through grace, and mission remains the fundamental template for every authentic Christian vocation. Whether in family life, professional work, church ministry, or being called to Holy Orders, where you fully surrender your life to serving the Lord. God continues to call imperfect people, purify them through grace, and send them forth in service.
Answer the Call to ministry. Serving the Lord gives your life meaning and so much fulfillment and love. Pray about it and God will lead you.
©2025 James Dacey Jr.
