5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) – 9th February 2025

Quick Glance Summary

• Theme: Jesus brings the call in life to focus.
• Key Message: The miraculous catch of fish (& Isaiah’s vision) opens up another way of looking at life. There is a sense of wonder and awe that can change how we live.
• First Reading (Isaiah 6:1–2a, 3–8): Isaiah is awestruck by what he senses of God. He is called by God to go share that sense with others.
• Psalm (Psalm 137[138]): How great is the glory of God! How great is our thanksgiving.
• Second Reading (1 Corinthians 15:1–11): St Paul reminds the Corinthians that his personal unworthiness is outweighed by what God asks him to teach. The message matters more.
• Gospel (Luke 5:1–11): What Jesus teaches and demonstrates about God and his mysterious, awesome presence in life compels Simon Peter, James, and John to ‘leave everything and follow him’. 

Gospel: Luke 5:1–11

"Jesus was standing one day by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the crowd pressing round Him listening to the word of God, when He caught sight of two boats close to the bank. The fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats—it was Simon’s—and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Then He sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.

When He had finished speaking He said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water and pay out your nets for a catch.’ ‘Master,’ Simon replied, ‘we worked hard all night long and caught nothing, but if You say so, I will pay out the nets.’ And when they had done this they netted such a huge number of fish that their nets began to tear, so they signalled to their companions in the other boat to come and help them; when these came, they filled the two boats to sinking point.

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus saying, ‘Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man.’ For he and all his companions were completely overcome by the catch they had made; so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were Simon’s partners. But Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on it is men you will catch.’ Then, bringing their boats back to land, they left everything and followed Him."

Overview of the Gospel

This passage captures the dramatic call of Simon Peter, James, and John. After a fruitless night of fishing, Jesus’ command to “put out into deep water” results in an overwhelming catch. Peter’s response of humility and repentance shows his recognition of Jesus’ as having more than human authority. Jesus, however, reassures him, transforming his fear into a mission: to become a “fisher of men.” “From now on, it is men you will catch.”  The disciples’ decision to leave everything reflects the radical trust and commitment that Jesus drew out of them. For them, there was nothing or no one more important. To follow Christ is to live the best life.

Connecting the Gospel to Today’s Context

Modern society makes it easy to dismiss religion, but doing so often comes at a cost: a loss of meaning and purpose, moral relativism (nothing matters, everything must be ‘tolerated’), weakened social and familial bonds, and increased anxiety and mental health struggles.

Many recognize the value of religious practice but they find it easy to neglect it due to declining trust in institutions, consumerism, medical and financial security, tolerance that devalues convictions, cultural shifts, distractions, and the belief that science has replaced religion. These factors make skipping religious practice easy, and over time, occasional neglect turns into a way of life, eroding a sense of obligation to others.

However, faith is not just personal—it must shape how we live and connect with others. Biblical examples, like the response of Isaiah and the response of Jesus’ disciples, show that faith (the way we see the place of God in things) has to go beyond a ‘take-it-or-leave-it’ attitude. Instead, it calls for active participation. We are all called to engage with God, to uphold values, and to remain connected. Without this, we risk falling into selfishness and self-justification. The challenge is whether we will respond to the call of faith in a world that encourages detachment.

Reflection Questions and Responses

• Who or what groups might find these readings especially helpful?
  • Those facing discouragement: The miraculous catch reminds us of God’s abundance, even in the face of failure.
  • People discerning their vocation: The call to “leave everything” challenges those seeking to follow Christ wholeheartedly.
  • Families and communities: The unity of the fishermen, working together, highlights the importance of cooperation in living out faith.
  • Missionaries and evangelists: This Gospel reinforces the call to spread the Gospel and trust in God’s grace to bear fruit.
• What human weaknesses do they address, and what virtues do they aim to strengthen?
  • Weaknesses: Doubt, fear of failure, feelings of unworthiness and lack of response to God. These readings encourage us to be awestruck by God’s power  and, even with our own limitations, to respond to God again in prayer and in church. 
  • Virtues: Humility, obedience, courage and insight into God in Jesus. Peter’s wonder and awe, also his willingness to follow Jesus’ instruction and accept His call exemplifies these virtues.
• What is the feeling tone of each reading?
  • Isaiah: Awe and reverence, as Isaiah experiences God’s majesty and responds with willingness.
  • Psalm: Grateful and trusting, expressing confidence in God’s unfailing help.
  • 1 Corinthians: Hopeful and humbling, reflecting on God’s grace despite Paul’s unworthiness.
  • Gospel: Transformative and inspiring, moving from awe to mission.
• Which saints or well-known figures exemplify the message of these readings?
  • St Peter: His journey from humility to boldness mirrors this Gospel’s message.
  • St John Paul II: His call to “put out into the deep” (Duc in Altum) inspired a renewed focus on evangelisation.
  • St Thérèse of Lisieux: Her trust in God’s providence and “little way” exemplifies faith in the face of perceived limitations.
• What works of art, poems, or pieces of music provide insight into the message?
  • Art: James Tissot’s The Miraculous Draught of Fishes, capturing the astonishment of the disciples.
  • Music: The hymn Here I Am, Lord, echoing the theme of Isaiah and Peter’s call.
  • Poetry: R.S. Thomas’ The Bright Field, reflecting on the moment of recognition and the urgency of responding to God’s call.
• Where has the message of these readings been true in my life or those close to me, and is there a story I can share about that?
  • Consider sharing a story of a time when trusting in God led to unexpected blessings or when a perceived failure became an opportunity for deeper faith and transformation.