Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Depart from me, for I am a sinful man” said Peter. Jesus replied,  “Do not be afraid, from now on, you will be catching people.”

This scene reminds me that God likes to use inadequate instruments to make it clear that what is achieved is by God’s grace, not our expertise.

Remember, Noah was a drunk. Moses a murderer.  David slept with married women. Peter betrayed Jesus. Saul – who became Paul – helped to  kill Christians. Remember the stoning of Stephen?

God used them all. God will – if we let The Blessed Trinity carry out their plan for us - also use each one of us. 

With all my weaknesses and foibles, God has used me these past seventy years. Thanks to my weaknesses I have become ever more merciful with the problems of others – and thus more Christlike. One of my life-supporting mantras is “Hate the sin. Love the sinner.” After all, every human is a holy sacrament of God – as Christ reminded us when he said, “Whatever you do to the least of mine, you do unto me.” (Mt 25,40)

Maybe, it’s my engineering training that makes me hate waste. Using my weaknesses for the benefit of the lives of others is satisfying.

The past is a rehearsal for the present – and just as important and unimportant as any rehearsal. What matters is how I will be when I die – not so much what I may have done in the past. Just think “The Good Thief on Calvary” “Though I know your past, today you will be with me in paradise”

Falling down is not as important as getting up. So, I will keep on keeping on but, you will be happy to hear, not with this homily.