In our First Reading, From the Book Of
the Prophet Isaiah
Is 6:1-2a, 3-8
Isaiah tells of his call to be a prophet, a man to speak in God's name: " I saw the Lord seated... " All our speech about God is analogous and conditioned by time and culture. Isaiah portrays God as an ancient monarch, surrounded by messengers (angels, seraphim). Isaiah felt unclean, humble, and unworthy in the presence of the Lord. His final answer to God's call is important : " Here I am;... send me!" God's word to us may be the question: " Where does God fit into your planning?"
The Responsorial Psalm is that that we put our trust in Jesus because of his love and kindness and that he has done great things for us, so we should be filled with joy and love for him and to be like him
in your self-giving.
In the Second Reading, From the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians
1 Cor 15:1-11 or 15: 3-8,11
We see from this reading that Paul had an experience similar to Isaiah's awareness of God's presence in the temple. "Last of all, as to one born abnormally, he (Jesus) appeared to me. Only " by the grace of God I am what I am." Notice again that feeling of unworthiness in the presence of the Lord.
In the Gospel of Luke
Lk 5:1-11
The early Church, for whom Luke wrote this Gospel, had to face the fact that Judaism as a whole opposed the Christian message and could not see Jesus as the promised Messiah. By recounting this tradition about what happened to Jesus in his hometown, Luke deals with this problem. Actually he fuses several visits and several reactions together in this one story. Notice: " All were amazed." They asked : " Isn't this the son of Joseph?" Who does he think he is? Why does he not work a few miracles here also? And finally they reject him.
Since Judaism as a whole rejected Jesus, the message was directed to the Gentiles. Jesus points out that Elijah and Elisha worked their miracles for non-Jews. God's word to all who suffer because of Christian witness: " But Jesus passed through the midst of them and went away." Suffering is part of Christian witness. Final victory belongs to Christ and all who are willing to suffer with him.
