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Dear Preachers:
Today we have stories of vocational calls, from
the prophet Isaiah and the Gospel of Luke. What stands out in these stories is
that God initiates the call, and humans hear and respond. It is not through
their own initiative that people seek God; instead, they are recipients of
grace. How and when they respond is up to them.
Isaiah was a priest and counselor to several of Israel’s kings, yet his message
often fell on deaf ears. How was he able to persist in his mission despite the
resistance? Today, we hear about Isaiah’s inaugural vision—a dramatic encounter
with God. In preparation for his challenging mission, Isaiah is purified by
angelic beings. This purification equips him to preach a message that will often
be rejected.
It all begins with Isaiah’s encounter with God and attentiveness to God’s word.
He is called to proclaim God’s message and remain faithful, even amid intense
opposition. Isaiah’s strength will come from God’s word. Despite not knowing all
that will be required of him, Isaiah places his trust in God. When God asks,
“Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” Isaiah responds, “Here I am… send me.”
A similar sequence unfolds in today’s Gospel. Like Isaiah’s story, hearing God’s
word precedes the response. From Simon’s boat, Jesus preaches to the crowd. Luke
describes how “the crowd was pressing in on Jesus,” eager to hear him. Simon and
those in the boat also listen as Jesus speaks. When Jesus tells Simon to “lower
your net for a catch,” Simon hesitates, pointing out their failure after a night
of fishing. Yet, he ultimately obeys, saying, “At your command.” Once again, a
receptive listener hears the word, trusts it, and acts.
Isaiah and Simon were both motivated by God’s word. Isaiah’s mission did not
bring him much outward success, but he was cleansed of sin and sustained by the
word through difficult times. Simon, after responding to Jesus’ command,
experiences a miraculous catch of fish—a symbol of the many people who would be
drawn to Jesus through his words and works. Later, Simon would give his life for
that word.
We can ask ourselves: Do I identify more with Isaiah or Simon in this moment of
my life? Like Isaiah, do I feel unworthy but strengthened by God’s cleansing
touch to serve others? Or, like Simon, am I aware of my shortcomings yet
encouraged by Jesus’ assuring words, “Do not be afraid”? Jesus’ word frees us
from preoccupation with our worthiness, enabling us to leave behind doubts and
follow him.
Luke’s Gospel emphasizes the totality of the disciples’ response. Unlike Mark
and Matthew, who describe the disciples leaving their boats, nets, and families,
Luke notes that they left “everything” to follow Jesus. The word of Jesus freed
them to surrender all and embrace his mission to make disciples of all nations.
That same word would strengthen them in the face of opposition and even death.
Each of us is loved by God and called by Jesus for a purpose known to God from
all eternity. We have the freedom to accept, postpone, or reject this call. As
we gather for the Eucharist and hear Jesus call his disciples to sacrifice and
follow him, his invitation carries the strength we need to respond. Each of us
has a vocation and, once again, we hear Jesus inviting us to follow. We receive
his word gratefully, along with the grace to live our present Christian vocation
more fully.
The experience of God’s word—whether audible or visible—transformed Isaiah and
the fishermen into channels of God’s love for a needy world. Their response
likely seemed nonsensical to their families, peers, and communities. Imagine the
bewilderment of experienced fishermen, who had “worked hard all night and caught
nothing,” being told by a carpenter to “put out into deep water and lower your
nets.” Sometimes, following Jesus’ call doesn’t make sense to us either.
This reminds me of the daily tasks we face that seem to have lost their meaning
or energy—things we began with enthusiasm but now struggle to continue. Think of
couples persevering in their relationship, parents remaining steadfast despite
their children’s indifference or hostility, or those enduring long illnesses
while trying to keep faith. Consider those who persist in good works despite
overwhelming odds—against racism, environmental degradation, violence, and
addiction. They’ve heard Jesus’ call and trust his promise to be with them.
We, too, need to listen again to Jesus’ words: “Do not be afraid.” Trusting his
presence and promise, we can continue to follow him, no matter the challenges we
face.
Click here for a link to this Sunday’s
readings:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020925.cfm
JUSTICE BULLETIN BOARD
 He appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve.
After that, he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once. . .
1 Corinthians 15: 5-6
There is a tendency to think that Jesus had only a very small circle of
believers around him. The scripture passage presents a picture quite to the
contrary (and doesn’t even mention his female followers!). These believers were
his disciples, his students. Day–by-day, they learned by his example. They also
practiced communal life. As a nomadic people, the Jews understood the strength
to be found in community.
Two thousand years later, the Church still seeks to promote community,
especially in papal social teaching, based on the constructs of solidarity,
common good, and communitarianism. However, here in the United States, this rubs
against another philosophy—that of the autonomous individual and individual
rights. Sociologist John Coleman, S.J., writes: “Many ethicists or political
philosophers in the United States favor a view of the person as profoundly, and
essentially relational” ( The Challenge an unencumbered individual as an
autonomous chooser, cut off from essential relationality. This is, of course,
diametrically opposed to the Catholic understanding of the human d Spirituality
of Catholic Social Teaching, revised ed., Orbis, 2011, p.100). Furthermore, as
the Church promotes community and solidarity, she also recognizes the freedom
and dignity of each person. Today’s disciples of our Lord need to consider these
comparisons when studying and trying to live the Church’s social teachings in
our society. As Marvin L. Krier Mich writes, “This means that the common good is
on a par with the individual good. In fact, an individual cannot develop or
flourish without a supportive community” (ibid.).
The Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral’s Office of Human Life, Dignity, and Justice
Ministries promotes the understanding of what it means to live in community and
offers the entire parish opportunities to explore this vital aspect of parish
life through its ministries outside the walls of the church to the greater
community. We welcome you to step out in faith with fellow parishioners and join
in the social mission of the Church.
Prayer for Community
We praise you for the communities of life which sustain us: creation, family,
church, and the community of all people. May we learn from your Son Jesus to
love our neighbors more deeply, so that we may continue your work of creating a
community of justice and peace in our world (ibid.)
Barbara Molinari Quinby,
MPS, Director
Office of Human Life, Dignity, and Justice Ministries
Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, Raleigh, NC
FAITH BOOK
Mini-reflections on the Sunday scripture readings designed for persons on the
run. “Faith Book” is also brief enough to be posted in the Sunday parish
bulletins people take home.
From today’s Gospel reading:
Peter said to Jesus, “Master
we have worked hard
all night and have caught
nothing, but
at your command I will lower the nets.”
Reflection:
Like Peter we have things that concern us and keep our minds preoccupied during
the night We can use some help to keep us focused and to guide our decisions. In
the midst of all that occupies us we want to continue hearing Jesus’ invitation
to follow him. We especially want to do that as we toil through the sometimes,
very dark periods of our lives.
So we ask ourselves:
- What areas of my life consume my energies and concern me the most?
- Have I considered how Jesus is inviting me to follow him in those very places?
POSTCARDS TO DEATH ROW INMATES
“One has to strongly affirm that condemnation to the death penalty is an inhuman
measure that humiliates personal dignity, in whatever form it is carried out."
---Pope Francis
Inmates on death row are the most forgotten people in the prison system. Each
week I am posting in this space several inmates’ names and locations. I invite
you to write a postcard to one or more of them to let them know that: we have
not forgotten them; are praying for them and their families; or, whatever
personal encouragement you might like to give them. If the inmate responds, you
might consider becoming pen pals.
Please write to:
- Fernando Garcia #0702066 (On death row since 4/19/2001)
- Jim Haselden #0561943 (6/6/2001)
- James Hollis #0428143 (7/19/2001)
----Central Prison P.O. 247 Phoenix, MD 21131
Please note: Central Prison is in Raleigh, NC., but for security purposes, mail
to inmates is processed through a clearing house at the above address in
Maryland.
For more information on the Catholic position on the death penalty go to the
Catholic Mobilizing Network: http://catholicsmobilizing.org/resources/cacp/
On this page you can sign “The National Catholic Pledge to End the Death
Penalty.” Also, check the interfaith page for People of Faith Against the Death
Penalty: http://www.pfadp.org/
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