C: 5th Sun of OrdTime (10 Feb 2019) - DIVINE ASSURANCE - LK 5:1-12

Our first reading today presents the call of Isaiah, who initially expressed his unworthiness before God’s transcendent glory saying, “What a wretched state I am in! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips” (Isa 6:5). However, a seraph touched his lips, purging his sins in the process, and making him ready to volunteer to God’s need for a messenger. This passage continues the theme of last Sunday’s first reading where Jeremiah was called to be a prophet of the Lord. Like Isaiah he expressed his initial reluctance arguing that he was too young (Jer 1:6). Jeremiah finally agreed after hearing God’s fatherly assurance of “They will fight against you but shall not overcome you, for I am with you to deliver you – it is the Lord who speaks” (Jer 1:19).

The vocation story of Simon Peter in our gospel transpires in the same way. He was accusing himself of being sinful and unworthy of standing before a miracle-worker like Jesus who by his words had just made possible their huge haul of fish (Lk 5:6). Peter was later convinced to follow Jesus after hearing directly from his mouth the words: “Do not be afraid; from now on it is men you will catch” (v. 10).

What we then see among these stories of divine calls is the five-fold-stage of Call-Sign-Reluctance-Assurance-Acceptance. This is a typical motif in biblical vocation stories (e.g., Moses in Exodus 3-4 and Gideon in Judg 6:11-24). “Reluctance,” being included as one of the phases, connotes that the following of the Lord is not comparable to a mechanical switch that is simply put on when light or electric current is needed. Rather, it takes some time—even a period of hesitation and soul-searching—before one can finally accept one’s mission in life.

Having realized the dynamics of the real following of the Lord, we should not be tough on others who refuse to transform their lives instantaneously, nor should we be judgmental of those who do not frequent the church as we do. Maybe, they are still in the “reluctance” phase, and are spiritually journeying in a slower pace than ours, albeit not necessarily unproductive in toto. Instead of pressuring them, maybe the best assistance we can offer is a constant message of “assurance” that God is patiently waiting and is lovingly forgiving to everyone, perceivable in our compassionate and gentle ways of treatment of them.

The historic first papal visit to the Arabian peninsula by Pope Francis last February 3-5, 2019 marks fittingly this assurance of divine presence and guidance. In spite of the long history of religious conflict in these territories (especially between the Christians and Muslims), this visit becomes a gesture of genuine longing for peace and fraternity among all the peoples in the world. On our part as Christians, we are challenged to assure one another that we are all equal in God’s eyes and should be accepting of one another’s religious, cultural and political orientations. This is similarly the message of Pope Francis to the faithful of U.A.E. in his homily: “You are a choir composed of numerous nations, languages and rites; a diversity that the Holy Spirit loves and wants to harmonize ever more, in order to make a symphony. This joyful polyphony of faith is a witness that you give everyone and that builds up the Church.”

If God is patient in waiting for everybody’s return to him, may we be likewise patient and understanding in our dealings with others, especially with those who are different from us.

Let us begin conquering other’s reluctance by our hearty assurance of love and support as God steadfastly does.

- Rex Fortes, CM