Today’s Gospel reading is the classic vocation scriptural text: “From now on, you will be catching men.” But notice who Jesus chooses: Peter, who, by his own admission, is a “sinful man.” This is a key point in the Scriptures: God does not choose the qualified; God qualifies those whom he chooses. In other words, God gives us the tools needed to do our jobs or vocations.
An ancient dictum in sacramental theology is that the efficacy of the sacrament does not depend on the holiness of the minister. In other words, God works through imperfect people to dispense his grace and mercy. As long as the priest, deacon, or bishop intends to do what the Church intends, the sacrament is valid, even if the minister is not in a perfect state of grace at the time he confects the sacrament. Oftentimes, people ask me, “Father, the priest who married us left the priesthood. Are we still married?” Yes, of course you are. Besides, the ministers of the sacrament of marriage are the couple; the priest or deacon is the witness for the Church. However, if a couple did not intend to fulfill the contract of marriage or entered into it with a canonical impediment of some kind, that may be grounds for an annulment.
The main point of this week’s scripture is that God works with imperfection in order to render it perfect. He works with us to make us holy and whole, provided that we cooperate with him. Even though we may be sinful, God wants us to be with him for all eternity. Therefore, we can rejoice and say with Isaiah, “Here I am; send me.”
