Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C
February 09, 2024 – 10:30 AM
Saint Cecilia Catholic Community, Palm Springs, CA
Deacon Sharon Kay Talley
Isaiah 6:1-2A;3-8 | Psalm 138:1-5;7-8
I Corinthians 15:3-8;11 | Luke 5:1-11
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, AMEN.
Are you a disciple? Discipleship, according to Christian theology, is the act of following and learning from Jesus. It involves imitating His teachings, embodying His values, and spreading the Good News to others. Discipleship is a lifelong journey of spiritual growth characterized by humility, servanthood, and obedience to God’s will. It requires a deep commitment to living a life of faith, love, and compassion for others.
Our main focus today is on discipleship and the call to spread the Word of the Lord. The theme of our readings challenges us to reflect on our own relationships with God and consider how we can spread the message of the Gospel to everyone.
Today’s Gospel reading from Luke tells the story of Jesus calling His first disciples, Peter, James, and John, to follow Him and become fishers of men! This passage highlights the importance of responding to God’s call and being willing to leave our comfort zones in order to follow Him. Today, at St. Cecilia’s, Mauricio has chosen to become a new disciple of Jesus as we celebrate his baptism.
Jesus’ call to the disciples is a call to mission and service. Just as the disciples were called to leave behind their fishing nets and follow Jesus, we, too are called to leave behind our own preoccupations and comfort zones in order to serve God and others. This means being willing to make sacrifices and put God’s will above our own desires. As followers of Jesus, we are called to be witnesses to His love and mercy, bring hope and healing to a world of those in need.
The first reading from Isaiah reinforces this message of mission and service. In this passage, Isaiah is called by God to be a prophet to the nations and to speak His Word to the people. Like Isaiah, we are also called to be prophets in our own time, speaking out against injustice and standing up for the marginalized and oppressed. This requires courage and a willingness to speak the truth, even when it is difficult or makes us unpopular.
The idea of being able to leave behind our old way of life to follow Jesus is one of the key themes today. This may involve letting go of past hurts and resentments, forgiving those who have wronged us, and learning to love our enemies. It may also mean making changes in our daily routines and habits to live more fully in accordance with God’s will. This requires humility and a willingness to ask for God’s grace and guidance in our lives.
We are also challenged to reflect on how we are using the gifts and talents that God has given us. Are we using them for our own selfish gain, or are we using them to build up the Kingdom of God and serve others? Each of us has a unique role to play in God’s plan for the world, and our individual gifts are meant to be shared with others. This means being generous with our time, resources, and talents, and using them for the greater good.
Another important aspect of today’s scripture is the idea of perseverance and faithfulness in following Jesus. The Gospel today shows us that the disciples were not perfect, but they were willing to follow Jesus even though they did not fully understand what He was asking of them. They trusted in His guidance and remained faithful to Him even in the face of challenges and difficulties. This is a powerful reminder for all of us to trust in God’s plan for our lives and to persevere in our journey of faith even when times are tough.
The Gospel today also emphasizes the importance of community and solidarity in our lives. Just as the disciples were called to follow Jesus together, so too are we called to walk the journey of faith with others. This means being a supportive and encouraging presence to all our brothers and sisters in Christ and helping one another to grow in holiness and love. This sense of fellowship and unity is essential for living out the Gospel message in a meaningful way.
So let us respond to God’s invitation to follow Him and be willing to make sacrifices for the sake of spreading the Gospel. And let us use our gifts and talents for the greater good and be generous in sharing them with others. Let us be prophets of hope and justice in a world that is in dire need of God’s love and mercy.
As present-day Christians, we are called to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and be His disciples in the world. This means living out the values of the Gospel: practicing forgiveness, mercy, and justice in our daily lives. Discipleship requires us to be courageous in our faith, willing to step out of our comfort zones, and take risks to spread the Word of Jesus just like Bishop Mariann Budde did recently.
May we hear and respond to God’s call with courage, humility, and grace as we strive to live out the Gospel message in our daily lives. AMEN.