Isaiah's Call - Our Call

Homily for Saturday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time

In today’s first reading we hear the dramatic account of the call of the Prophet Isaiah. In that account we are told that the throne of God is encircled by seraphim, six-winged angels, who cry out “Holy, holy, holy” as they worship God enthroned on a high and lofty throne. The word comes with the connotation of fire, heat, and passion which later spiritual writers used to develop the theological underpinnings of these heavenly creatures as those who were most passionate about doing God’s will.

Isaiah describes the heavenly throne room likening it to the beautiful Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem. After Isaiah confesses that he is a man of unclean lips, one of the seraphim brings an ember from the altar before the throne and purifies Isaiah. From that moment, Isaiah himself becomes passionate about his role as a prophet of Israel, calling the people back to the covenanted relationship which had been forged by Moses on Mount Sinai. For Isaiah, the vision of God’s majesty was so overwhelming that military and political power faded into insignificance. He constantly called his people back to a reliance on God’s promises and away from vain attempts to find security in human plans and intrigues. This vision also led him to insist on the ethical behavior that was required of human beings who wished to live in the presence of such a holy God. Isaiah couched this message in oracles of singular poetic beauty and power.

The oracles of the prophet are the most often quoted pieces of the Hebrew Scriptures in the Gospels. While all the prophets point to the day when the Messiah will come among the people of Israel, it is Isaiah who is most recognized as the Messianic prophet. His call is recorded in dramatic fashion. Yet it must be remembered that his call is not unlike our own. God called each of us as well. Like Isaiah, each of us has responded and asked to be sent.

When Jesus sends the Twelve to the lost sheep of Israel, he reminds them each of them, each of us, that we have nothing to fear for God is constantly watching over each of us as we bring his message to the world.

Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator