1. Sunday Readings Sunday Readings Commentary and Reflections 5 th Sunday in the Ordinary Time C February 7, 2016 In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgy As aid in focusing our homilies and sharing Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

2. 1 st Reading: Isaiah 6,1-2a.3-8 1 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. 2 Seraphim were stationed above. 3 "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts!" they cried one to the other. "All the earth is filled with his glory!" 4 At the sound of that cry, the frame of the door shook and the house was filled with smoke. 5 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!" 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, holding an ember which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 He touched my mouth with it. "See," he said, "now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, your sin purged." 8 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!" The focus is on the call (sending) of Isaiah.

3. 1 st Reading: Isaiah 6,1-2a.3-8 Setting in the Temple 1 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. 2 Seraphim were stationed above. 3 "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts!" they cried one to the other. "All the earth is filled with his glory!" 4 At the sound of that cry, the frame of the door shook and the house was filled with smoke. Fear of Isaiah 5 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!" 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, holding an ember which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 He touched my mouth with it. "See," he said, "now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, your sin purged." The call and response of Isaiah 8 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!" A simple outline!

4. Textual Context of Is 6,1-2a.3-8 First Isaiah - 1-39 Second Isaiah - 40-55 Third Isaiah - 56-66 1-12 Oracles against Judah most from Isaiah's early years (740-732) 13-23 Oracles against foreign nations, many from his middle years (724-705) 24-27 A "Little Apocalypse" added at a much later date, perhaps in the sixth century 28-33 Oracles from Isaiah's later ministry (705-700) 34-35 A vision of Zion, perhaps a later addition 36-39 Stories of Isaiah's life, some from the Book of Kings (see 2 Kgs 18-19)

5. Historical Context Isaiah was called in a great vision (Isa 6) to prophesy at Uzziah's death in 742 B.C.E. to Hezekiah's reign, at the Assyrian invasion in 701 B.C. Contemporaries of Amos, Hosea and Micah

6. 1 st Reading: Isaiah 6,1-2a.3-8 Setting in the Temple 1 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. 2 Seraphim were stationed above. 3 "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts!" they cried one to the other. "All the earth is filled with his glory!" 4 At the sound of that cry, the frame of the door shook and the house was filled with smoke. Fear of Isaiah 5 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!" 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, holding an ember which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 He touched my mouth with it. "See," he said, "now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, your sin purged." The call and response of Isaiah 8 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!" Commentary Vv.1-3 talk about the setting of the call of Isaiah: He sees God in the Temple, sitting on a throne, and the seraphim, singing “Holy.” V.4 adds effects to the setting: sound, door shaking, smoke. V.5 affirms the old biblical belief that to see God is to see death. It also affirms Isaiah’s sinfulness. Who is he to see the Lord? V.6 speaks of the purification of Isaiah through the seraph (effect: ember from the altar) V.7 indicates the cleansing actions of the seraph (touching mouth/lips.) Wickedness is removed // sin purged (parallelism). V.8 indicates the voice of God with articulation (not just a voice / sound) in the form of a question in parallel style (Whom shall I send //who will go for us?). Isaiah responds, “Here I am! Send me!” –Did Isaiah volunteer to be a prophet?

7. Reflections on the 1 st reading God mysteriously calls us. There are no established criteria which God follows when he calls us. We may be unworthy and sinful, but God calls and takes care of us. It is he who makes us worthy. He purifies us if we respond to him. Important is that when we hear his voice, we generously respond. Let us not hesitate to respond (huwag maarte). He might be talking to us through our superiors and the events of our daily life.

8. Resp. Ps 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-8 R. (1c) In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord. 1 I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart, for you have heard the words of my mouth; in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise; 2 I will worship at your holy temple and give thanks to your name. 2 Because of your kindness and your truth; for you have made great above all things your name and your promise. 3 When I called, you answered me; you built up strength within me. 4 All the kings of the earth shall give thanks to you, O LORD, when they hear the words of your mouth; 5 and they shall sing of the ways of the LORD: “Great is the glory of the LORD.” 7 Your right hand saves me. 8 The LORD will complete what he has done for me; your kindness, O LORD, endures forever; forsake not the work of your hands.

9. Resp. Ps 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-8 R. (1c) In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord. 1 I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart, for you have heard the words of my mouth; in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise; 2 I will worship at your holy temple and give thanks to your name. 2 Because of your kindness and your truth; for you have made great above all things your name and your promise. 3 When I called, you answered me; you built up strength within me. 4 All the kings of the earth shall give thanks to you, O LORD, when they hear the words of your mouth; 5 and they shall sing of the ways of the LORD: “Great is the glory of the LORD.” 7 Your right hand saves me. 8 The LORD will complete what he has done for me; your kindness, O LORD, endures forever; forsake not the work of your hands. Commentary The psalm is classified as Thanksgiving Hymn. It represents well the feelings of Isaiah in the first reading. In vv.1-2, the psalmist thanks God with the following actions: –I will give thanks –I will sing –I will worship Vv.2-3 give reasons for thanking God: –He is kind and true. –He is great and fulfills his promise. –He answered my prayers. –He strengthened me. In vv.4-5, also the kings will give thanks and sing to the Lord. In vv.7-8, the psalmist hopes for the continued support of God.

10. 2 nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 15,1-11 1 Now I am reminding you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you indeed received and in which you also stand. 2 Through it you are also being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3 For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures; 4 that he was buried; that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures; 5 that he appeared to Kephas, then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 After that he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one born abnormally, he appeared to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective. Indeed, I have toiled harder than all of them; not I, however, but the grace of God (that is) with me. 11 Therefore, whether it be I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

11. 2 nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 15,1-11 Fraternal reminder of the gospel 1 Now I am reminding you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you indeed received and in which you also stand. 2 Through it you are also being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3 For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received: The content of the gospel preaching that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures; 4 that he was buried; that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures; Appearances of Christ to the apostles 5 that he appeared to Kephas, then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 After that he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Appearance of Christ to Paul, his call by grace 8 Last of all, as to one born abnormally, he appeared to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective. Indeed, I have toiled harder than all of them; not I, however, but the grace of God (that is) with me. 11 Therefore, whether it be I or they, so we preach and so you believed. calling The focus is on the gospel preached by Paul, but we will develop his calling as an apostle. A simple outline!

12. Textual Context of 1 Cor 15,1-11 I. Introduction 1,1-9 II. Part I: Divisions in the community 1,10—4,21 A. Rival groups in the community 1,10-17 B. God has different standards 1,18-31 C. The power of Paul's preaching 2,1-5 D. True wisdom and the language of love 2,6—3,4 E. The right attitude towards pastors 3,5—4,5 F. Applications to the Corinthians 4,6-13 G. The visit of Timothy 4,14-21 III. Part II: The importance of the body 5,1—6,20 A. A case of incest 5,1-8 B. Clearing up the misunderstanding 5,9-13 C. Lawsuits among Christians 6,1-11 D. Casual copulation 6,12-20 IV. Part III: Responses to Corinthian questions 7,1—14,40 A. Problems of social status 7,1-40 B. Problems arising from pagan environment 8,1—11,1 C. Problems in liturgical assemblies 11,2—14,40 V. Part IV: The resurrection 15,1-58 A. The creed of the Church 15,1-11 B. The consequences of different theses 15,12-28 C. Ad Hominem arguments for resurrection 15,29-34 D. The resurrected body 15,33-49 E. The need for transformation 15,50-58 VI. Conclusion 16,1-24 A. The collection for Jerusalem 16,1-4 B. Paul's travel plans 16,5-9 C. Some recommendations 16,10-18 D. Final greetings 16,19-24 Outline by NJBC

13. Paul writes from Ephesus, AD 55

14. 2 nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 15,1-11 Fraternal reminder of the gospel 1 Now I am reminding you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you indeed received and in which you also stand. 2 Through it you are also being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3 For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received: The content of the gospel preaching that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures; 4 that he was buried; that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures; Appearances of Christ to the apostles 5 that he appeared to Kephas, then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 After that he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Appearance of Christ to Paul, his call by grace 8 Last of all, as to one born abnormally, he appeared to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective. Indeed, I have toiled harder than all of them; not I, however, but the grace of God (that is) with me. 11 Therefore, whether it be I or they, so we preach and so you believed. Commentary In v.1 Paul reminds the Corinthians of the gospel which he preached and which they have received and lived. V.2 indicates that the gospel is salvific, transmitted to them by Paul. Vv.3-4 is the kerygma, the content of the preaching of the apostles, of Paul. Take note of the repetition of “in accordance with the scriptures.” Vv.5-7 speak of Jesus’ appearances to Kephas (Peter), to the 12, to more than 500 brothers, to James and to all apostles. V.8 speaks of Jesus’ appearance to Paul who considers himself –abnormal –least of the apostles –not fit to be called apostle (v.9) Because he persecuted the church of God (v.9) V.10 speaks of the grace working in Paul and his claim on the intensity of his work (I toiled harder).

15. Reflections on the 2 nd reading Our calling (as Christian disciples who will testify to the passion, death and resurrection of our Lord) must be shown through hard work. Our vocation is to transmit faithfully the gospel as preached by the apostles. That is why our Catholic Church is called an apostolic church. We may not be worthy to preach because of our sinful past, but it is God who makes us worthy even if other people try to disqualify us. In this Jubilee of Mercy, we are called be missionaries of mercy (through our conversion), even if we have been merciless in the past.

16. Gospel Reading: Luke 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. 2 He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. 3 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. 4 After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch." 5 Simon said in reply, "Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets." 6 When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. 7 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that they were in danger of sinking. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man." 9 For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, 10 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." 11 When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him. The focus is on the call of Peter and other apostles.

17. Gospel Reading: Luke 5,1-11 Setting: by the lake, fishing, preaching While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. 2 He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. 3 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. Jesus and Peter 4 After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch." 5 Simon said in reply, "Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets." 6 When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. 7 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that they were in danger of sinking. Peter and Jesus 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man." 9 For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, 10 and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. The call of Peter and his companions Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." 11 When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him. A simple outline!

18. Textual Context of Lk 5,1-11 Intro, Infancy Narrative 1-2 Part I Galilean Ministry 3,1—9,50 Part II Travel Narrative 9,51—19,27 Part III Jerusalem Ministry 19,28—24,53 3,1—9,50PART ONE GALILEAN MINISTRY 3,1-38 Preaching of John (3,1-20) And public manifestation of Jesus (3,21-38) 4,1-44 Jesus’ initial movement in the power of the Spirit Messianic temptations met (4,1-13) Initial prophetic ministry (4,14-44) Galilee (Nazareth: Capernaum); Judea. 5,1-7—7,50 Call of disciples in the context of a prophetic ministry of preaching, healing and forgiveness: 5,1-11-- Missionary call of Simon Peter 5,12-16 Curing of a leper (as testimony to priests)

19. Gospel Reading: Luke 5,1-11 Setting: by the lake, fishing, preaching 1 While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. 2 He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. 3 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. Jesus and Peter 4 After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch." 5 Simon said in reply, "Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets." 6 When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. 7 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that they were in danger of sinking. Peter and Jesus 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man." 9 For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, 10 and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. The call of Peter and his companions Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." 11 When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him. Commentary Vv.1-3 provide the setting for the call of Peter. –Peter is a fisherman; owns boats and has workers. –Jesus is shown as a preacher, borrows the boat of Peter. Nice strategy for preaching (not to be hemmed in by the crowds). The people are hungry for the word of God. Vv.4-7 portray the power of Jesus. He asks Peter to put out into the deep water (duc in altum)… and fish. For Peter, this is insane, but for the sake of his word (remata), he obeys. Vv.8-10 portray the religious experience of Peter and his companions. They realize their sinfulness. In here takes place the call of Peter and his companions. V.11 speaks of the total response of Peter and his companions to Jesus.

20. Reflections on the gospel reading The call of Peter is done in the context of the preaching of Jesus and in the context of fishing (hanap-buhay). Jesus takes hold of Peter completely, step by step. –First step, Jesus borrows his boat. –Second step, Jesus asks Peter to put out into the deep. –Third step, Jesus commands Peter to lower down the nets. –Fourth step, Jesus impresses Peter with the miraculous catch. –Fifth step, Jesus recognizes the “unworthiness of Peter” but assures him “Do not be afraid.” –Sixth step, Jesus makes him/them “fishers of men.”

21. When God calls, he does it step by step. Hindi biglaan. To be able to respond, one must have some kind of a religious experience, faith experience, God- encounter. The person must be attuned to the spiritual: to the person of Jesus, to the word of God. In this Jubilee of Mercy, we are called to step by step to be merciful like the Father. We can do this when we realize that Jesus is the face of Father’s mercy.

22. Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm The first reading talks about the vocation of Isaiah. (God appearing in glory) The psalm helps us thank God for his protection when answering his call. The second reading talks something about the vocation of Paul. (Christ resurrected appearing) The gospel reading talks about the vocation of Peter (Jesus of Nazareth as a preacher). There is not one pattern on how God calls people to his service. There is no set of criteria or credentials. It all depends on the wisdom of God.

23. How to develop your homily/sharing Begin by sharing your experience on how you felt God was calling you and how you nurtured your vocation. –Through a sister, a priest, a friend –You were an altar boy. –Your parents are religious. –You have attraction to the saints, bible, etc. –You can make a joke: you were busted…

24. Vocation is an initiative of God. It is God who calls in different ways. –God calls Isaiah (1 st reading) by his majestic appearance in the Temple. Isaiah feels forgiven. –God calls Paul (2 nd reading) by appearing also to him, not only to the apostles. Paul feels forgiven. –God calls Peter (gospel reading) by close encounter, by commanding to do what is not expected and by giving him some surprises, enough to make him humble “Depart from me I am a sinner.” In effect, Peter is also forgiven.

25. We cannot dictate God to call us and how he should call us. God calls the unworthy and sinful (inadequate). We should be wary of candidates who feel they deserve to become priests/nuns. Those who feel forgiven / cleansed (God-experience) humbly and willingly answer his call. They know the enormity of their jobs. It is not fashionable.

26. Our vocation has a purpose. Like Isaiah, we are called to prophesy (to speak on behalf of God), to go against the worldly trends. Like Paul, we are called to testify to the Resurrected Christ, to an unknown people. Like Peter, we are called to gain more souls to the Lord, everywhere.

27. The readings should make us rethink of our values, so that we will not be hindering the call of God, or, wasting the resources intended to help the interested young vocations. Vocation is not forced; it needs a personal generous response and a community support.

28. It is best sown and thrives best where there is fear of God; where there is love for priests and religious; where there is a sincere search for God and a deep prayerlife. –Do these exist in your family, environment? Forget having a priest-son or a nun- daughter if you are materialistic and irreligious or impious.

29. Some candidates start well, but later they forget their vocation because they learn the values of their materialistic benefactors. Other candidates are festered by their parents, friends and relatives (who want to know every second of their lives) through the text messaging or Facebook or Tweeter. They are not given the freedom to respond totally to the formation. Still other candidates cannot take root because they have been addicted to sex, cigarette, liquor, drugs or something illicit before entering.

30. Some couples (even if they are active in church) don’t allow their children to enter the seminary / convent. –They expect their children to be in lucrative high paying jobs. Other parents send their children to the seminary, even if they have no vocation, to avail of its education and training. –They are not in their right minds. What a waste of money of the seminary! What a dishonest way to waste the precious efforts of the formators! These children (without vocation in the first place) are just inmates (not seminarians or sisters) living in hypocrisy (behaving like maamong tupa, conforming to all rules and regulations) day in and day out.

31. Married life is also a vocation. The call to holiness is for everyone: priest, nun, single, married, or unmarried. Not everyone is called to get married and procreate. Forced marriages cause more problems in the church (and in society). See the Statement of the Synod on Family 2015. Each one should discern his own vocation to make life more meaningful.

32. In the eucharist, God calls us to receive him in spite of our sinfulness and unworthiness. In the eucharist, Jesus offers himself as the food (strength) in our vocation as Christians. In the eucharist, Jesus sends us, individuals and families, to share in his prophetic, priestly and kingly mission. Bear in mind the messages in the 51 st International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu.

33. Our Context of Sin and Grace Spoiled brats entering the seminary and convents Immature people entering into marriage Christians who have no sense of mission Rich people who always want priests and bishops at their beck and call, but fail to support seminarians. Christians who work for money, not as an expression of their vocation (aptitude and giftedness) God-fearing couples who understand and practice their faith Parents who bring their children (whole family) to mass Parents who show signs of respect to the priests, nuns, and bishops, like bowing and kissing their hands Parents who visit their children in the seminary

34. Suggested Songs Lord, here I Am –http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dH54ZHHR84khttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dH54ZHHR84k –https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHK7_Ng7K8khttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHK7_Ng7K8k Here I am Lord –https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcxOkht8w7chttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcxOkht8w7c Ikaw Ngayon Bukas –http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLXGRycu6kohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLXGRycu6ko