Word to the Wise
Sunday, February 10, 2013 - 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time - C
[Isa 6:1-2a, 3-8; 1 Cor 15:1-11 or 15:3-8, 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!"
Nearly 42 years ago, I had these words of Isaiah printed on one of the "souvenir cards" that I presented on being ordained to the priesthood. The interesting thing for me is that my experience of being "called" was much stronger at the time I entered religious life - the Order of Preachers (Dominicans). It was then that I went through the struggles about discerning God's "voice" and setting out on a completely different path than the one I had chosen originally. Ordination to the priesthood took place seven years later and seemed almost "natural" after all those years of formation. But the words of Isaiah still "resonate" with me.
It is a common expression to speak of one's "calling" in life. Ministers do speak of their "call!" However, God's "call" is not always to full time ordained ministry. In point of fact, we who are baptized Christians all experience the same "call" that is contained in baptism - to be identified with Christ in his life, death and resurrection and made partakers in his priestly, kingly and prophetic ministry! We are all called to the priesthood of the baptized!
The scriptures for this Sunday present us with figures who experienced rather dramatic "calls:" Isaiah, Paul and Peter! Isaiah's mouth is touched by a hot coal. Paul is thrown to the ground by a bright light and voice. Peter is overwhelmed by the miraculous catch of fish! Most of us aren't going to have that kind of experience. The call may be found in the talents and gifts that each of us have received. Through our faith and the grace of the Holy Spirit, we see the opportunity to use those gifts and talents for others. Religious life and/or ordained ministry are perhaps more prominently featured, but since the Second Vatican Council, men and women have been "called" to many forms of "ministry" inside and outside the church. It is our baptism that is at the root of this "calling." A Christian life, lived well and according to the gospels, will be a strong witness anywhere! To expect some dramatic voice or divine hand on the shoulder is not realistic. In my own case it was an idea that would not leave me alone till I tried it!
I will begin a parish mission at Holy Family Parish in Missouri City, TX, this weekend and will be challenging the People of God to consider their baptismal calling and to be "intentional" about it. For so many of us, baptism was something that happened when we were infants and is not something of the present time! The "call" is there but we must be open to hearing it! It is more gentle than a hot coal and smoke, or a bright light and a voice, or a net bulging with fish! God has other ways of getting our attention but we can help by opening our eyes, ears, minds and hearts! AMEN
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