Father Thomas Welbers' Homily	Jump back to Homily Index
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, February 8, 2004 (Together in Mission Follow-Up Sunday) Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Luke 5:1-11	Listen to Audio

Many people would like to reduce Christianity to a set of rules – “do this and don’t do that, and God will give you a reward or punishment as you deserve.”

The experience of 2000 years of Christian living, as well as a careful understanding of the wonderful and complex richness of the Bible clearly says otherwise. Christianity is not a list of commandments to be obeyed, it is not a set of doctrines to believed, it is not even a way of life to be followed. Christianity is fundamentally a mystery to be embraced and explored. Rules and doctrines and values are a necessary part of the whole picture, but they are not at the center, they are not the heart of what it means to be Christian. The things that we must believe and must do or not do are the means to an end, rather than the end in itself. The heart of what it means to be Christian is to embrace and explore the mystery of God. The call to be a follower of Christ is essentially God’s invitation to leave all else and enter the boundless depths of the reality of God.

The image in today’s Gospel of launching out into the deep, and discovering the unexpected and overwhelming gift has been seen throughout the centuries as a call to each disciple of Christ to be a mystic. The realization of this great gift goes hand-in-hand with a deep and troubling awareness of our own inadequacy. When God reveals himself to us in gifts that we know we don’t deserve, our first response will always be that of Peter, “Depart from me, for I am a sinner and unworthy.”

But, as Jesus assures us as the story unfolds, he does not depart – but he does transform: “You have been fishermen; I will make you fishers of men.” That’s God’s work, not ours. All it takes on our part is the humility of self-emptying, which Peter shows, and the openness to let God work in us.

These are difficult times for the Church, and for many it’s not easy to remain faithful in face of the terrible harm and pain that trusted priests and bishops have caused in the lives of many. It’s also a time of confusion and many contradictory voices. It’s a time when the waters around all of us are deep and scary. Yet it’s a time when the Lord is calling us to the kind of mysticism that does not abandon the world of suffering and pain, but embraces it. God is not found in the halls of power, whether they be religious or civil. God is found in those who are one with Jesus in suffering, particularly suffering that is inflicted by the injustices committed by others.

If we, as individuals and as church, are to find our own healing and peace, it will only be by reaching out to be God’s instruments of healing and peace to those who suffer.

Although we have been talking about Together in Mission for several weeks now, we realize that some may have had reason not to be here for Mass last week, or needed more time and prayer to consider your pledge. If you have already made your pledge to Together in Mission, and turned it in, I thank you very much. If you have not yet made your pledge, I ask you to do it now. Together in Mission is one way, but certainly not the only way, to fulfill the call to be an instrument of God’s healing and peace to those who suffer. I make and fulfill my own pledge, and recognize that it is only a small part of the ministry to which I am called. Small, but significant nonetheless.

Envelopes and pencils are in the pews. If you don't find one close by, please look in the pew in front or behind you. If you open the envelope, there's a place where you can fill in your pledge. Please be sure to write the information very legibly and completely, and remember to pledge an amount that you can fulfill in a series of monthly installments over the next six or eight months. You will receive monthly reminders. A significant pledge is much more important than a donation now, but if you wish to begin with the donation of the first installment of your pledge, that is certainly welcome. Just be sure to note it appropriately on the pledge card.

When you have completed filling out your pledge information, please tear the flap from the envelope, place it inside, and seal it. This week, we ask that you simply place it in the collection basket along with your regular offertory contribution. Or if you brought your pledge card from home, please put it in the collection basket too.

A lot of people are saying thank you. The priests and religious and lay men and women, boys and girls of the 32 parishes and 46 schools in need of our financial assistance are saying thank you. Often we are asked about the use of this money, and whether any of it could be used for other purposes, including lawsuits and legal settlements. Everything given to Together in Mission is a restricted donation which must be placed in a designated fund solely for the purpose for which it is given -- assistance for parishes and schools serving people in low-income areas. Again, they join me in saying thank you, and God bless you.

© Thomas Welbers 2004