Today’s readings are full of surprises about the people chosen by God for particular tasks. The prophet Isaiah is a man of prayer who is familiar with the Temple. He is called by the Lord to become His prophet through whom He will name injustice, call kings to account, and proclaim an unwelcome message that will meet resistance and opposition. St. Paul is aware of his history and recalls how he persecuted the Christians and had Stephen put to death. How he might have wept in later life when he looked back at his misdirected zeal. The central figure in today’s Gospel is Simon Peter, the fisherman who is ready to acknowledge his sinfulness and asks the Lord to leave him in peace. But Peter’s wishes are not God’s will and he is called to be a disciple. In this moment of feeling very small and somewhat inadequate in the presence of Jesus, he is given a new mission and sent as an apostle to call others to Christ. Jesus says, “Do not be afraid; from now on it is men you will catch.†Each of these men, Isaiah, Paul and Peter, recognizes his inadequacy in the face of God’s calling and knows that it is only by God’s grace that he can carry out God’s call and God’s will. Each one is created in the image and likeness of God and reflects an aspect of God’s glory. Isaiah moves from fearful man to bold preacher; Paul from persecutor of Christians to prophetic apostle; Peter from fisherman to martyr in Rome. They remembered the words of God: “Do not be afraid.â€
Calling comes in many different forms. The calling for Isaiah, Paul and Peter is explicity to proclaim the message of God’s kingdom. However, at the time of their deaths, human minds might have questioned their achievements. In spite of Isaiah’s preaching, the land of Israel was conquered. Peter and Paul died as martyrs in Rome, one on a cross, the other by the sword. Only later do we see their achievements in the light of the resurrection. Most of us do not win medals at the Olympics or become like Isaiah, Paul or Peter. However, each of us is given gifts by God to use for the good of others. We are light in the world who can share our hope with others. To allow our light to shine out, we can take courage from those words of Jesus, “Do not be afraid.â€