Homily – 5th Sunday of Ordinary Time (C)

When was the last time you attended a ceremony that left you with a sense of awe, beauty and of the sacred?  Last Saturday, St Patrick’s Cathedral hosted the ordination of two new bishops.  People from all over the country and overseas witnessed the Cathedral at its finest – an assembly fully participating, choirs – yes “choirs” – representatives of those in attendance, the fascinating rites and rich traditions.  It was difficult not to be drawn into moments of appreciative contemplation.

Indeed, this is an important part of our faith expressed in rituals – but we know there is more to our faith – there is much to think about how the liturgy might stimulate our mission and work.  The Gospel of Christ finds it place in the 21^st century – it offers us fresh opportunities and challenges.

I was reminded this week how Christ made the ordinary sacred.  He was constantly in contact with people from all walks of life, they were at the centre of Christ’s ministry.  Each encounter was like a moment of baptism – purified and anointed, the baptised re-emerge with a new way of relating to humanity.  We, who are baptised, can find ways to relate to those who may seem unrelatable.

St Peter was the first apostle to be called.  How does Jesus relate to a person of Peter’s background as a fisherman?  He speaks the language common to those in his profession “from now on it is people you will catch”.  Finding the language that speaks to people is difficult.  It certainly requires attentiveness to people’s circumstances.  One of the great advices given to me as a student was to take an interest in other people’s interests – putting theirs first, requires great humility.

A quality that is evident from Peter was his sense of unworthiness to be called a follower of Christ.  There is a common saying that if we think we are unworthy for a role then we are the right person.  When ambition comes to mind there is the danger of being driven by ego.

After a fruitless night of fishing – a frustration shared by those who rely on it for their livelihood – Peter recognises he cannot succeed with his own efforts.  Jesus guided him to a great catch.  Christ certainly wants us to succeed but he also wants to collaborate with him with a sense of humility.

By Fr Hoang Dinh