Reflection on the Readings for 09 Feb 2025

Isaiah 6:1-2,3-8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11

In Exodus 30, God gives instructions to Moses on how to burn offerings. These instructions are very detailed and specific, e.g. that coal would be used for burning the incense and that the altar of incense and all utensils are to be anointed “so that they may be most holy; whatever touches them will become holy” (Ex 30:2))

In Isaiah, we learn about the vision of the Temple of God being filled with smoke. The author moans that he is “a man of unclean lips”- and as it is described in Exodus, whatever is touched by the anointed utensils will become purified and holy.
He is rescued by a seraph who takes a utensil, the tongue with a burning coal and touches his lips. His sins have been removed.
This is the moment that God calls out, and Isaiah is now ready to be God’s messenger.
The iniquity is taken away. God’s angel has made him worthy for the new task.

Just like God’s instructions to Moses were clear – with a clear warning not to change them, the Corinthians are told that their salvation depended on believing in the new  Covenant with God as described in the gospels and preached by Paul.
Similar to Isaiah, Paul first thinks that he is not worthy to proclaim God’s Word.
Paul admitted that he had even persecuted the Church of God – but thanks to Jesus who died for our sins and thanks to God’s grace, his sins have been removed.
God decided to prepare and purify Paul so that he could be God’s messenger.

Jesus is the ultimate messenger of God, he is the Son of God.
When he is looking for a way to talk to the crowds without being closely surrounded by his followers, he discovers Simon’s boat. Simon immediately follows Jesus’ request to move the boat further onto the Lake of Gennesaret.
However, when asked to move the boat even further onto the Lake, Simon doubts. When he realises that he had no reason to doubt, Simon feels bad and unworthy.
He and his companions were overwhelmed with the good catch and now they feel sorry that they first didn’t believe.

But the recognition that they shouldn’t have doubted, the regret, the repentance is enough for Jesus to forgive them.
Simon might not have caught fish on his own and needed Jesus’ support, but now, he has been put in charge to “catch men”.
Simon and his companions, the fishermen, go on land and leave everything they had known of life until then behind them, and follow Jesus.

Isaiah, Paul and Simon had doubts, didn’t feel worthy to proclaim the Word of God and to do God’s Work. However, it is clear that God chose them despite – or maybe because – of their doubts and humility.
Leaving all doubts behind, Simon and his companions followed Jesus.
Do we realise when God is calling us? Are we doubting, thinking that we are not worthy?
God is merciful and full of grace. We will hear God’s calling and just need the courage to fully trust in God.

BM