Introit
Keep your family safe, O Lord, with unfailing care,
that, relying solely on the hope of heavenly grace,
they may be defended always by your protection.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
First Reading Is 6:1-2a, 3-8
In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, with the train of his garment filling the temple. Seraphim were stationed above. They cried one to the other, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts! All the earth is filled with his glory!" At the sound of that cry, the frame of the door shook and the house was filled with smoke. Then I said, "Woe is me, I am doomed! For I am a man of unclean lips, living among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!" Then one of the seraphim flew to me, holding an ember that he had taken with tongs from the altar. He touched my mouth with it, and said, "See, now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, your sin purged." Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?" "Here I am," I said; "send me!"
Responsorial Psalm Ps 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-8.
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
Second Reading 1 Cor 15:3-8, 11
Brothers and sisters, I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures; that he was buried; that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures; that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. After that he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one abnormally born, he appeared to me. Therefore, whether it be I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
Alleluia
Gospel Lk 5:1-11
While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch." Simon said in reply, "Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets." When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that the boats were in danger of sinking. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man." For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.
If Christ had first chosen a man skilled in public speaking, such a man might well have said: “I have been chosen on account of my eloquence.” If he had chosen a senator, the senator might have said: “I have been chosen because of my rank.” If his first choice had been an emperor, the emperor surely might have said: “I have been chosen for the sake of the power I have at my disposal.” Let these worthies keep quiet and defer to others; let them hold their peace for a while. I am not saying they should be passed over or despised; I am simply asking all those who can find any grounds for pride in what they are to give way to others just a little. But Christ says: Give me this fisherman, this man without education or experience, this man to whom no senator would deign to speak, not even if he were buying fish. Yes, give me him; once I have taken possession of him, it will be obvious that it is I who am at work in him…. Any of these other men may come and take lessons from me in the importance of humility for salvation, but let the fisherman come first. He is the best person to win over an emperor. Remember this fisherman, then, this holy, just, good, Christ-filled fisherman. In his nets cast throughout the world he has the task of catching this nation as well as all as all the others. (St. Augustine of Hippo)
The soul should know herself accurately and should behold the Original Beauty reflected in the mirror and in the figure of her own beauty. For truly herein consists the real assimilation to the Divine - making our own life in some degree a copy of the Supreme Being. (St. Macrina)
The soul is kissed by God in its innermost regions. With interior yearning, grace and blessing are bestowed. It is a yearning to take on God's gentle yoke, it is a yearning to give one's self to God's way. (St. Hildegard of Bingen)
We have our treasure in earthen vessels, but Thou, O Holy Spirit, when Thou livest in a man, Thou livest in what is infinitely lower. Thou Spirit of Holiness, Thou livest in the midst of impurity and corruption; Thou Spirit of Wisdom, Thou livest in the midst of folly; Thou Spirit of Truth, Thou livest in one who is himself deluded. Oh, continue to dwell there, Thou who dost not seek a desirable dwelling place, for Thou wouldst seek there in vain, Thou Creator and Redeemer, make a dwelling for Thyself; oh, continue to dwell there, that one day Thou mightest finally be pleased by the dwelling which Thou didst Thyself prepare in my heart, foolish, deceiving, and impure as it is. (Soren Kierkegaard)
Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which has to be asked for, the door at which one has to knock. It is costly, because it calls to discipleship; it is grace, because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly, because it costs people their lives; it is grace, because it thereby makes them live. (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)
One needs to open one’s heart to the abundance of grace and to allow the word of the Redeemer to act with all its power: ‘Duc in altum!’ (Put out into the deep!) Whoever opens their heart to Christ will not only understand the mystery of their own existence, but also that of their own calling; they will bear the abundant fruit of grace. (Pope St. John Paul II)
Once again the fisherman of Galilee, placing his trust in this word, leaves everything and follows the one who has become his Lord and Master. Simon’s workmates, James and John, do the same. This is the logic that guides Jesus’ mission and the mission of the Church: go in search, “fish” for men and women, not to proselytize, but to restore full dignity and freedom to all, through the forgiveness of sins. This is the essential point of Christianity: to spread the free and regenerative love of God, with a welcoming and merciful attitude toward everyone, so that each person can encounter God’s tenderness and have the fullness of life. (Pope Francis)
Homily
So what's in your net? Seems a lot of them are empty these days -- and about to get emptier. And like Peter’s, it’s not for lack of trying. We've seen minorities emptied of protections enjoyed since the 1960s; the climate has been emptied of even the little protections we promised; immigrants and refugees seeking asylum have been emptied of their hopes for a better life; the economic well-being of the entire country has been emptied by reckless initiatives, and federal programs to assist the needy, to provide better education, and to extend foreign aid to others in need throughout the world are also coming up empty. All the while the health and safety of the populace is placed at risk by incompetent sycophants. Like the apostle, we might be forgiven if someone were to suggest, “Try again,” and we replied, “Forget it.”
It is within the scope of God’s plan that we should come up against evil in this world, and have to fight a way for ourselves through it. Our Lord could have captivated the minds and hearts of the whole world by a single sermon, but he did not. Alone, with a few faithful disciples, he lived in the midst of constant hostility. It is so in the whole history of humanity…. We must face reality, and not live in an unreal world, not even in an ideal world of our own imagining, which we build up with our poor and unsubstantial dreams. We make a great act of adoration and submission when we recognize the absolute sovereignty of God in all that happens. Only such a thought can enable us to put up with the numberless abuses which surround us—in ourselves and others, in the Church and in the world at large. (Dom Augustin Guillerand)
Intercessions (Joe Milner; The Sunday Website)
For the Church: that we may be attentive to God’s invitations and allow Jesus to draw our attention away from our fear and limits so that we can respond to all that God asks.
For the growth of faith: that the dying and rising of Christ may be the foundation of our lives and inspire all our words, deeds, and desires.
For the grace to deeply listen: that we may follow Christ away from the noise and demands of daily life and enter the silent depths of our hearts where we can hear God’s words of life and love.
For all who lead others to God, particularly spiritual directors, retreat masters, and evangelists: that God will inspire their words, open hearts to receive them, and help many to encounter Christ.
For all who feel unwelcome or unworthy before God: that God’s unconditional love may heal and free them so that they may live in the freedom of the children of God.
For all who are ill: that God will heal the sick, lift the burden of those with mental illness, inspire healthcare providers with insights, and give strength to their families.
For all who are suffering: that God will protect communities from violence, bring relief to those facing starvation or homelessness, and guide those who are facing the power of nature.
For peace: that God will inspire those working to reduce tension in Israel-Palestine, Ukraine, and Sudan, to bring forth new understanding of one another’s concerns, and open new paths for justice and respect.
Most holy God, the earth is filled with your glory, and in your presence angels stand in awe. Enlarge our vision, that we may recognise your power at work in your Son and join the apostles and prophets as heralds of your saving word. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. (ICEL; 1998)
Offertory Chant
Offertory Hymn
Isaiah in a vision did of old The Lord of hosts enthroned on high behold; His splendid train was wide out-spread until Its streaming glory did the temple fill.
Above his throne the shining seraphim With six-fold wings did rev’rence unto him; With two each seraph hid his glorious face, And two about his feet did interlace, And with the other two he soared on high;
And to one another thus did cry: “Holy! Holy! Holy is the Lord of hosts! His glory filleth all the earth!” The beams and lintels at their crying shook, And all the house was filled with billowing smoke.
Communion Antiphon
Closing Hymn
Lord, you have come to the seashore, neither searching for the rich nor the wise, desiring only that I should follow.
O, Lord, with your eyes set upon me, gently smiling, you have spoken my name; all I longed for I have found by the water, at your side, I will seek other shores.
Lord, see my goods, my possessions; in my boat you find no power, no wealth. Will you accept, then, my nets and labor?
Lord, take my hands and direct them, help me spend myself in seeking the lost Returning love for the love you gave me.
Lord, as I drift on the waters, be the resting place of my restless heart My life's companion, my friend and refuge.