5th Sunday after Epiphany
Isaiah 6:1-13; Psalm 138; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11
The 5th Sunday after Epiphany brings us the familiar story about the calling of the first disciples while they were fishing by the lakeshore. Luke’s account does not convey the same immediacy and promptness from the disciples-to-be that other evangelists do (Matthew 4: 18-22; Mark 1:16-20). It is somewhat the opposite.
In his version, Luke tells us that Jesus’ first act upon arriving at the lake was to proclaim the word upon request of those gathered there. It seems that the Messiah was beginning to make noise. I wonder if Peter had already met Jesus, for he calls him “master.” If so, that sheds some interesting light on their brief exchange in verse 5. Peter seems to rely on his expertise initially and slightly resists Jesus’ suggestion of a different course of action, “Yet [master] if you say so, I will let down the nets.” The abundance of the catch is so astounding that it causes Peter to repent and he and the sons of Zebedee (James and John) to leave everything and follow Christ – not without the standard biblical words of encouragement first: “Do not be afraid (10).”
Peter, James, and John were not the first to hesitate upon the invitation to be sent into the world to proclaim the true word of God. Before them, there was Isaiah. In the case of the prophet, it was the impactful manifestation of the divine realm for him – an epiphany, if you will – that inspired his moment of repentance (Isaiah 6: 5). It is God’s revelation about the challenges the prophet will face (9-13) that enlightens us on the need of being unafraid, and instead good courage. “The holy seed is its stump (13d).”
The proclamation of the gospel always faces challenges. Eventually, the world pushes back against it. Once strengthened by faith (1 Corinthians 1: 4-7), the church in Corinth now experiences divisions (10-17), leading to critiques against Paul’s leadership (Chapter 9). For Paul, at least part of the remedy is the lavish mercy and grace of the good news itself. This grace makes him a beloved child of God (15:10). If the former persecutor of Christians (9) is deemed worthy of Christ’s abounding and forgiving love, then anybody is.
The psalmist prays:
“For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly,
but the haughty he perceives from far away.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies;
you stretch out your hand,
and your right hand delivers me.
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands (Psalm 138:6-8; NRSVue).”
Bridging Faith 