FIFTH SUNDAY

Luke has a unique perspective on the fist call of Simon Peter – though of course a similar scene occurs at the end of John (John 21:   ). He is ordered by the Lord to put out to the deep with the consequent miraculous draft of fish. Peter remonstrates his unworthiness but Jesus reassures him (Luke 5:1-11). Similar to Peter and many prophets, Isaiah argues his own wretchedness as the Lord calls him in the vision in the Temple. The all holy Lord yet stoops and cleanses as heaven joins with earth (Isaiah 6:1-8). St. Paul argues his credentials as an apostle as he repeats the traditio that he has received and hands on in his preaching (I Corinthians 15:1-11).

As St. Paul hands on the traditio, so does the Church in the Scriptures which ‘make the voice of the Holy Spirit sound again and again in the words of the prophets and apostles.’ (DV 21). This is why access to the Scriptures needs to be given to all. (DV 22) The ‘study of the sacred page’ should be the very soul of theology and ‘pastoral preaching, catechetics and all forms of Christian instruction, among which the liturgical homily should hold pride of place needs to be healthily nourished by the Word of Scripture.’ (DV 24)

Canon Mervyn Tower