HELP WANTED, DO NOT BE AFRAID.

FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME. YEAR C.
February 4, 2007.
(First Reading: Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8) (Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11)
(Gospel Reading: Luke 5:1-11)

HELP WANTED,
DO NOT BE AFRAID.

In today's gospel there seems to be a sign that reads: HELP WANTED.

The Lord Jesus today, like in biblical times, is in need of helpers, of partners. He needs them now and always will. Someone has to do his work in every generation. Our presence today (In church or at this web site) is an expression of our desire to approach Jesus just as "the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God" (Luke 5:1).

Like the people in the Gospel we may want to offer Jesus what we have, anything he can use, we may want to be his helpers. We hope He may be able to see our "boats", our "nets" alongside the lake of our life.

Why Does Jesus Need Helpers?
Because his presence in the world must continue through and for his fellow human beings who are to speak and receive his word, who are to perform and witness his works. The voice of Jesus seems to project more loudly from Peter's boat, and the fishermen's nets are more efficient when used under the Lord's instructions.

Today the Lord wants to count us among his helpers, among his partners.
Our Reaction:
Our partnership with Jesus begins the same way it began for Peter: With fear. Fear overtook Peter, to the point that Jesus had to tell him "Do not be afraid". Peter was fearful at the prospect of having the power of God at the disposal of a sinful man. Knowing himself to be a sinful man, Peter was afraid that he could use that power in his own benefit, in favor of his own self interests. For a man like Peter who wanted to be a partner with Jesus the idea of abusing God's powers was simply frightening. What would the power of Jesus do to Peter's life? would it make it more difficult or more easy?, would it bring him successes or failures?

The Lord Jesus then gives Peter the answers to his concerns: "Do not be afraid - says Jesus - from now on you will be catching men", which means that Peter will not use God's power for his own personal gain, for his selfish interest, in other words, Peter will not use God's power in a sinful manner, instead, Peter will use it for the benefit and well being of all his fellow human beings; as a true fisher of men.

In our world today many people, many of our leaders (political, economic, social) use the powers given by God to pursue their own selfish interest, to attend to their insatiable thirst for worldly domination at the expense of their fellow human beings, thus bringing about injustice, aggression and destruction among men. Many of the leaders of our world choose to remain in their sinfulness, refusing to use their powers ("their boats and nets") for the benefit of all human beings.

Dealing with Sinfulness.
The three Scripture readings of this Sunday speak of three persons who have the ability to move beyond their sinfulness:
- In the first reading, Isaiah acknowledges that he is "a man of unclean lips" (Isaiah 6:5), then God touches Isaiah's lips with an ember and says to him "See, now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, your sin is purged" (Isaiah 6:7). Now Isaiah can answer the call of God saying: "Here I am... Send me" (Isaiah 6:8).

- In the second reading, Saint Paul acknowledges: "I am the least of the apostles, not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God". Then Paul adds: "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective" (1 Corinthians 15:9-10).

- In the gospel reading, Peter also acknowledges to Jesus: "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man" (Luke 5:8). But the Lord says: "From now on you will be catching men" (Luke 5:10).

Once sinfulness (the greed for wealth and power, the oppression of man by man) is left behind then the peoples and leaders of our world can become true "fishers of men".

Becoming a Fisher of Men.
Saint Paul in his First Letter to the Corinthians defines what is the work of a "fisher of men", a partner of Christ. Paul says: "I preached the gospel to you, which you indeed received... Through it you are also being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you" (1 Corinthians 15:1-2)

Therefore, the work of a "fisher of men" involves the following:
1. Preaching the gospel by word and deed, bringing the good news of liberation to all human beings.

2. Allowing our fellow human beings to listen and to receive in their lives the news of liberation.

3. Holding fast to the good news that brings liberation to all human beings.

HELP WANTED, HELP WANTED, DO NOT BE AFRAID...