5th Sunday in Ordinary time, Year C: Isa 6:1-2;3-8, 1Cor 15:1-11, Ps 137(138):1-5,7-8, Luke 5:1-11
Sometimes it takes disappointments and sufferings to discover hidden potentials in us and better appreciate God in our lives. These things happen as if to say you needed that suffering or problem to ‘provoke you into action’ than if things were normal. For this reason many great mystics conclude that in tribulations God is at work because He enriches souls with Divine grace for the purpose of taking them to a higher physical experience and spiritual dimension.
But how many can take this? How many thinks or reflects in this direction. No one wants to suffer, our human nature abhors difficulties. The biblical Joseph had great dreams but ‘needed’ the hatred and persecution of his brothers to align him to his destiny and materialise his dreams. In 2017, I had series of sufferings that provoked a better version of me today. You may be going through yours now and feel you’re alone and set for destruction. Hear me, this may be the only thing you need to know now to safely lead you into glory. Don’t go away, continue reading slowly…
Isaiah 6:1-2,3-8
In the year King Uzziah died I saw the Lord of Hosts seated on a high throne; his train filled the sanctuary; above him stood seraphs, each one with six wings. And they cried out to one another in this way, ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts. His glory fills the whole earth.’ I said: ‘What a wretched state I am in! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have looked at the King, the Lord of Hosts.’ Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding in his hand a live coal which he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. With this he touched my mouth and said: ‘See now, this has touched your lips, your sin is taken away, your iniquity is purged.’ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: ‘Whom shall I send? Who will be our messenger?’ I answered, ‘Here I am, send me.’
POINTS FOR REFLECTION
1. Child of God, the call of the prophet Isaiah leads one to wonder: why the call of Isaiah coincide with the death of king Uzziah? Is it for dating purposes, for us to know when Isaiah received his call, as we see in other prophetic books? It may be, but that’s not all? This leads us to ask who king Uzziah is, and the impact of his reign on prophet Isaiah.
2. Who is this King Uzziah? Uzziah was not only a good king but also a successful one. He served the tribe of Judah for 52 years and during his time Judah became very prosperous. Because of his great accomplishments, he won the admiration of his subjects. Apparently, as an advisor to the Kings of Judah, Isaiah looked up to him with awe and respect. But over his achievements, he became conceited and proud. He over emphasized his power and did whatever he wanted. He assumed that he could be the king and priest at the same time by burning incense in the temple, which was the exclusive duty of priests (Eze 46:2). This desecration displeased God and he was struck with leprosy before he died.
Before his death, Isaiah adored Uzziah, but it was until Uzziah died that he saw the Lord and sees his weaknesses- that he had been gullible. Why? At some points in his life he may have depended on king Uzziah. He had a lot of respect for him, rather than the Lord. But after the unexpected death of Uzziah, Isaiah had a vision that transformed his life and called him into the prophetic ministry. Such that he would not only be advising Kings but addressing nations.
3. Sometimes in order to discover our hidden potentials and align with our purpose in life and experience God in a higher dimension, somebody or something in our lives ‘has to die’! These things are preventers or blockades to our progress. No wonder some persons become better versions of themselves after a failed relationship or marriage, after the death of a loved one, after losing a job or after the collapse of their business, after their knowledge, ideas, or political connections failed, etc.
4. This explains the experience of Simon Peter as well when he met the Lord Jesus after the miraculous catch (Luke 5:1-11). The bible says when Simon Peter saw this (the miraculous catch) he fell at the knees of Jesus saying, ‘Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man’ (Lk 5:8). He acknowledges his sinfulness and inclinations to make excuses that depends on personal knowledge and skills alone; which made him to complain: ‘We have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net‘ (Lk 5:5).
TASK: Are you going through tribulations now? Is the weight to too heavy to bear, and the pains so severe? Listen, hold on don’t lose faith! Even if you have no more reason to believe again just say like Peter: nevertheless I will let down the net. I will persevere once more! Like Isaiah, say: Here I am, send me Lord! You are closer to your glory in Jesus name. Amen.
Do you desire physical and spiritual growth? Pray now: Lord let that thing preventing me from advancing towards you and aligning with my purpose; that which steals the glory belonging to you in my life die a natural death, that I may experience a higher dimension in Jesus name. AMEN.
