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5TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (C)
February 10, 2013
CALLED TO BE GOD'S PARTNERS IN THE SALVATION OF THE WORLD
The God who created the universe single-handedly and holds it in His hands does not save it single-handedly. He seeks the collaboration of people. He wants the collaboration of all. But over and above this general cooperation, He also chooses, calls and sends some individuals to be the heralds of His messages, and the special instruments of His love.
We call these people “prophets” and “apostles.” Their lives are a mixture of ordinary weakness and exceptional strength, of humiliating defeats and resounding victories, of temptations to sin and hard-conquered holiness. But in spite of such disconcerting contrasts, if they do their best, as Isaiah, Paul and Peter did, “the world will be better for this” and good will triumph over evil in all its forms.
First Reading – Is 6:1-2a.3-8
Structure
* 1-5 – Theophany in the Temple and Isaiah’s reaction
* 6-7 – A seraph purifies him.
* 8 – Isaiah volunteers to be sent by God.
Historical Background
Toward the middle of the 8th century B.C., the kingdoms of Israel and Judah were threatened by external enemies and internal moral weakness. Externally, the Assyrian Empire was becoming ever more aggressive. Internally, both the rulers and the people seemed to have forgotten their commitment to observe the Covenant.
It was in view of the hard times ahead that the Lord called the young Isaiah to be a prophet.
Introduction
This passage is known as “the call of Isaiah” to the prophetic ministry. His call and mission are preceded by:
a. a manifestation of God’s majesty and the proclamation of His holiness and transcendence,
b. the feeling of fear and unworthiness experienced by Isaiah; and
c. the divine intervention through which young Isaiah is “purified” in view of his future mission. |
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5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C) |
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