Word to the Wise
Sunday, February 4, 2007 - Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)
[Isaiah 6:1-2A, 3-8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11]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!"
It is not uncommon for me to be asked, "Why did you become a priest?" It takes awhile to tell that story and to some extent the story may have changed over the years as my perspective on things changed. Those who undertake a full time ministry are all aware of "the call." Today the scripture offers us three completely different stories which all have one thing in common: the feeling of unworthiness on the part of the one who is called in the face of the experience of God that gives rise to that call. I have quoted from Isaiah above because I chose those lines for one of my "ordination" cards back in 1971. But the lines in St. Paul are important too: " For I am the least of the apostles, not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and his grace to be has not been ineffective." In the gospel for today, there is the story of the "call" of Peter, James and John. Peter probably speaks for all of them when he says, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" But Jesus simply replies, "Do not be afraid, from now on you will be catching men." Most of the stories of "the call" that I hear from priests, deacons, sisters or lay ministers reflect the experience of faith that gives rise to the call and the feeling that they are not worthy of it. I dare say I have felt that way many times. The mercy and love of God are what keep me going. That is especially expressed in the love and support that I receive from family, friends and parishioners. They are incarnations of that love and mercy. When confronted with the vision of God in the burning bush, Moses tried to beg off and argue that he was unsuited for the call. God refused to entertain his arguments. Jeremiah protested. God insisted. In my own case, the feeling would not go away. As a matter of faith, I had to go and see. I started in 1964 and I am still at it. I pray all others who respond to this call will do the same. AMEN
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