5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C (2025)

A bountiful catch of fish in a net, like we hear about in the gospel for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

About the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

Sunday, February 9, 2025

The readings for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C speak about being called by God and sent to do His work.

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

Sunday, February 5, 2025
Mass Readings
Themes

Resources

In the first reading the prophet receives a vision and knows he must respond. In the second reading Paul explains that he is preaching the gospel through the grace of God. In the gospel Jesus tells Simon to put in his nets and Simon has a tremendous catch. Then Jesus calls Simon Peter, James, and John to follow him.

Daily Mass Readings for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

First Reading – Isaiah 6:1-2A, 3-8: “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send? Who will go for us? Here I am, I said; send me!”
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 138: “In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.”
Second Reading – 1 Corinthians 15:1-11: “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective.”
Gospel – Luke 5:1-11: “They came and filled both boats so that the boats were in danger of sinking. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”

Themes for the Readings

Discipleship
Unworthiness
Saying yes to Jesus

See some more extended themes and reflection questions at the bottom of this post.

Learn how to foster dicipleship

Resources for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

Fishy Business – A Lesson Plan on Holiness

This lesson plan on holiness will help youth understand that the path of discipleship can be full of potholes and twists and turns. God is calling to us to give us the grace we need. We just need to listen to his invitation and respond.

Litany of the Call to Discipleship

This litany asks our Lord to give us the grace to be His disciples. It focuses on various people in the gospel, including the first apostles, and asks for the grace to answer His call as they did.

A Prayer of a Grateful Heart

This prayer is based on Psalm 138, which is the responsorial psalm for this Sunday. It expresses gratitude for God’s loving care. We may seem insignificant in this world, but we are important to our Heavenly Father.

Abandon Your Nets Reflection

Help youth understand what they need to leave behind in order to have the freedom to follow Jesus.

Yes No Game

The Yes No game is a fun activity for your youth group or youth ministry meeting. It can be tied in with teaching by reminding us that we need to say “Yes” to God.

Donut Fishing

This donut fishing youth ministry game will get everyone laughing. It is only a little messy, so it can easily be done indoors. Your youth will love it.

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send? Who will go for us? Here I am, I said; send me!”

Homilies and Reflections for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

How to Evangelize

Bishop Robert Barron explains how this Sunday’s readings fit in with our call to evangelize.

Who Can I Send?

Our encounters with God changes us. Suddenly we are aware of our own sinfulness. Humanity means we understand our relationship with God.

Often, like Peter in the Gospel of the day, we experience the disappointment of trying so hard and not seeing the desired results. But it is precisely that empty boat, the symbol of our incapacity, that becomes the pulpit from which Jesus proclaims the Word.
Pope Francis

More Themes for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

Jesus teaches from Simon Peter’s boat. Peter and the other fishermen would have been tired after a full day of fishing. They were cleaning their nets and preparing to go home. But Peter recognizes the authority of Jesus and does what he asks. Already we see the relationship of Lord and disciple.

Like Peter, we are called to serve. We must recognize that what God asks us to do takes precedence over other aspects of our lives.

Jesus calls unlikely followers. The fishermen probably are illiterate, unable to read or write. Most rabbis would call learned scholars of scripture to follow them. But Jesus is looking for disciples who are willing to give their whole selves to him and leave everything behind.

Reflection Questions

Do I respond when Jesus calls me?
What do I need to leave behind to answer the invitation?
Do I trust that God loves and calls me as I am now? Or do I think I am unworthy to serve?

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