Isaiah describes his calling in classic form. There is a theophany, or some kind of appearance of God, that is “earth-shaking” and involves the “elements.”
He sees, not clearly, but something of God’s throne, and cries out —
“Woe is me, I am doomed!”
This is because humans have encountered the divine; it is too much to experience without death itself following. However, the experience cleanses and purifies Isaiah. Through it all, he somehow “hears” God calling him, and he answers without hesitation —
“Here I am; send me!”
In the Gospel, Peter had just experienced Jesus healing his mother-in-law a few verses before. He, with his own eyes, had seen the power of Jesus and knew there was more to Jesus than meets the eye.
Then, at the shore of the lake after a night of fishing with no results, Peter and the others were washing their nets; Jesus tells him to go out a “short distance from the shore” and lower the nets yet again. Peter makes sure that Jesus knows that he, a fisherman, has been at it all night without success and that he, a fisherman, knows when to quit. The catch, however, is astounding.
Why did Peter “listen” to Jesus? He had already seen a bit of Jesus’ power with his mother-in-law. There was something unique — powerful, grace-filled, God-like — about this Jesus.
Through it all, Peter even experienced a grace-filled moment in his weak and doubting nature, and uttered —
“Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”
But Jesus didn’t depart, nor did he see anything less in Peter. It is here, in this moment, in weakness and doubt, that Peter experiences the “call.”
Jesus casts out fear. Jesus reaches into the vulnerable and unguarded soul of Peter. Jesus deepens his relationship with Peter. It is here, too, that we can expect to hear God’s call again and again. It is probably here, too, that men and women of this parish, in this moment of time, in these circumstances, in doubt and fear, that some — perhaps many — will hear the “call” of Jesus Christ to follow as priests, deacons, and religious.
We encourage, support, and pray for the call to be heeded!
