If we look carefully at today’s reading, we can see something that is radical when we can consider religion. Look in both the first reading and the gospel the main point is both Isaiah and Peter are called even though they are sinners. Isaiah discovers that despite his sinfulness he has a call to be the prophet to the people of Judah. He calls them to repentance after acknowledging to God his sinfulness and unworthiness to be a prophet. God still calls him.
Then we see the first words spoken by Peter when he realizes he is speaking with the Son of God, the chosen one, the messiah. Leave me Lord for I am a sinful man. Now unlike Isaiah we can read the words of Peter many years later than this incident and indeed few years before his death. We see a drastic change in Peter calling his readers to be people separate from the pagans and their former way of life. It is a drastic change from the man who once said to Jesus: “Leave me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”
Yet, this brings forth a principle found in our first reading: The Lord calls the repentant sinners and transforms them to be prophets. He does not call the perfect, for there are none but Jesus and Mary. He calls the sinners who seek perfection, but know they fail. He also does not seek those who want to be sinners. He seeks alone those who recognize their sinfulness and seek to change their ways. They shall be made new.
The Lord chose Isaiah to do His work, even though Isaiah admitted to being sinful when he was called. The Lord chose Peter to be an apostle, even though Peter begged the Lord to leave him for his unworthiness.
This brings two things. One that the Lord initiates the call and second that he calls whom he wants, even though they may not be our first pick.
Let us go to Peter, a brash fisherman. He may have been the “know it all fisherman” filled with sailor’s language none of which I can say here. He might have called the young new man on his crew that stupid boy who can’t find a fish in a barrel. The one who engaged in hazing practices to break in the new one on the crew. The great fisherman who had experience on the sea, but who may have been a bit too proud for the liking of others. Yet, whom does Jesus call, this man named Peter. He might as well have said: “Leave me Lord for I am a sinful man, just ask anyone here.” You could imagine them laughing at the thought that a holy rabbi would be calling this sinful man named Peter-the brash fisherman.
“Hey, do you want the best fish? Call Peter. Do you want the best house guest, call anyone else.”
Yet, this is whom Jesus calls.
What is that saying to us?
Jesus called each one of us at our Baptisms. Are we sinners? Well, if you are not, then you lied at the Confiteor. But what is your sin? It is not an excuse for you not to respond to the call of prophet, unless you choose not to repent.
Yet, we need to spread this message to all the Baptized in the parish. Do not let your sin separate you from your vocation, unless you want your sin instead of your vocation.
Is a relative of yours a drug addict who seeks healing. He or she belongs here not just to be healed of the addiction, but to return to the call of prophet received at baptism. The call will be stronger because the sinner became the prophet.
Are you struggling in your marriage: then you both belong here that your marriage may be healed and you may return to your call of prophet you received at Baptism and Confirmation.
The Lord calls sinners and makes them saints. He does not call only saints and excludes sinners, indeed it is the opposite.
Look at the lives of the saints, each one had a history of sinfulness including St. Francis, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Augustine, St. Mary Magdalene, St. Teresa of Avila, and the rest.
Dorothy Day spoken of by Pope Francis at the US Congress went to confession every week. When called a saint she would respond: “Don’t dismiss me so quickly.”
We have only one excuse for not stepping up to our call to be prophets given to us at baptism, that is that we choose to remain in our sinfulness. If that is your choice, there is nothing we can do for you; but I am sure you would not be here in the first place. However, if you or someone you love is a sinner and seeks to a new way of living and to embrace the call of prophet received at Baptism, then this is the place, for it is here that the Lord calls the sinners and makes them prophets and saints, that includes you and the rest of the Catholics in our parish.
Let us remind those who are not here of their vocation and invite them not to the comfort of our church, but the challenge of leaving a life of sin and embracing the harder life of the prophet just like Peter and Isaiah.
God bless you,
Fr. Carr is member of the Segundo Elo of the Canção Nova Community. He is the pastor of Holy Trinity Quincy, MA and is the editor of this blog. He is the author of several books, blogs and hundreds of videos all of which you may find on Youtube. You can follow him on twitter as @frbobcarr and on Google plus as+FrRobertCarr. Thoughts, comments on the homily? Let us know at Facebook