Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8; Psalm 138:1-5, 7-8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11
Theme
When we encounter God's holiness, we recognize our unworthiness, yet God cleanses and calls us to mission—like Isaiah, Paul, and Peter, we respond: "Here I am, send me."
Summary of Readings
Isaiah sees the Lord seated on a high throne, surrounded by seraphim crying "Holy, holy, holy!" Overwhelmed by his unworthiness, Isaiah is cleansed when a seraph touches his lips with an ember, and he responds to God's call: "Here I am, send me." Paul recounts the Gospel he received—Christ died, was buried, and rose—and how the risen Lord appeared to him, making him an apostle despite being the least worthy. In the Gospel, Peter experiences a miraculous catch of fish and falls at Jesus' knees saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man." Jesus replies, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men."
Kyrie Invocations
DEACON/PRIEST: Lord Jesus, you reveal your holiness to sinners and call us to follow you. PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON/PRIEST: Christ Jesus, you purify our lips that we may proclaim your Gospel. PEOPLE: Christ, have mercy.
DEACON/PRIEST: Lord Jesus, you transform fishermen into fishers of souls. PEOPLE: Lord, have mercy.
Universal Prayer
PRIEST: Having encountered the holiness of God, let us bring our prayers before the Lord who calls sinners to mission.
DEACON/LECTOR:
1. For the Church and our Holy Father Pope Leo: that we may respond generously to Christ's call, leaving behind the nets of worldly attachment to follow him wherever he leads, we pray to the Lord.
2. For world leaders: that they may recognize their unworthiness before God and govern with humility and reverence for his law, we pray to the Lord.
3. For those who feel unworthy of God's call: that like Isaiah, Paul, and Peter, they may experience God's cleansing and empowering grace, we pray to the Lord.
4. For the families of our parish: that parents may hear God's call to mission within their homes, raising children who will say "Here I am, send me," we pray to the Lord.
5. For an increase of vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, or religious life, and for those discerning good and holy marriages, we pray to the Lord.
6. For the faithful departed: that they may join the heavenly chorus singing "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts," we pray to the Lord.
PRIEST: Holy God, before your majesty we confess our unworthiness. Receive our prayers, cleanse us from our sins, and send us forth to proclaim your Gospel to the ends of the earth, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Oración Universal
SACERDOTE: Habiendo encontrado la santidad de Dios, presentemos nuestras oraciones ante el Señor que llama a los pecadores a la misión.
DIÁCONO/LECTOR:
1. Por la Iglesia y nuestro Santo Padre el Papa León: para que respondamos generosamente al llamado de Cristo, dejando atrás las redes del apego mundano para seguirlo dondequiera que nos guíe, roguemos al Señor.
2. Por los líderes mundiales: para que reconozcan su indignidad ante Dios y gobiernen con humildad y reverencia por su ley, roguemos al Señor.
3. Por aquellos que se sienten indignos del llamado de Dios: para que, como Isaías, Pablo y Pedro, experimenten la gracia purificadora y fortalecedora de Dios, roguemos al Señor.
4. Por las familias de nuestra parroquia: para que los padres escuchen el llamado de Dios a la misión dentro de sus hogares, criando hijos que digan "Aquí estoy, envíame," roguemos al Señor.
5. Por un aumento de vocaciones al sacerdocio, al diaconado o a la vida religiosa, y por aquellos que disciernen matrimonios buenos y santos, roguemos al Señor.
6. Por los fieles difuntos: para que se unan al coro celestial cantando "Santo, santo, santo es el Señor de los ejércitos," roguemos al Señor.
SACERDOTE: Dios santo, ante tu majestad confesamos nuestra indignidad. Recibe nuestras oraciones, límpianos de nuestros pecados y envíanos a proclamar tu Evangelio hasta los confines de la tierra, por Jesucristo, nuestro Señor. Amén.
Homily Starter
- Three call narratives: Isaiah, Paul, Peter—each one confesses unworthiness ("I am a man of unclean lips," "I am the least," "I am a sinful man"), and each one is sent anyway.
- God doesn't call the qualified: He qualifies the called. Our weakness is not a barrier; it's the condition for grace.
- The Sanctus at Mass: "Holy, holy, holy"—we echo Isaiah's seraphim every Sunday. Do we understand what we're saying?
- Coal to the lips: The burning ember represents painful purification. Are we willing to be purified before we're sent?
- "Put out into deep water": Peter had fished all night and caught nothing. Jesus tells him to go deeper. Shallow faith catches nothing.
- They left everything: Boats full of fish—their livelihood—and they walked away. What's keeping you from following fully?
- Practical application: "Here I am, send me." Are you available? This week, ask God where he's sending you—and go.