HEEDING GOD’S CALL
1 Samuel 3:3b-10, 19; 1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20; John 1:35-42
One evening a professor was sorting mail. A magazine—delivered to him by mistake—fell open to an article titled: “The Needs of the Congo Mission.” He began reading it. These words gripped him: “The need is great here. We have no one to work in the northern province of Gabon in the Congo. It is my prayer that God will lay his hand on one—on whom the master’s eyes already rest—and that he or she will answer the call to help us.” The professor closed the magazine and wrote in his diary: “My search is over.” Albert Schweitzer gave himself to the Congo.
Schweitzer got his life’s calling after he “happened” to read an article which was not even his! People get their call in unique ways… as today’s readings attest.
God called Samuel. John pointed out Jesus to two of his disciples and Jesus invited them to “come and see”. Andrew told Simon that they had found the Messiah. Samuel, Andrew, Simon. Three people. Three unique call stories.
There are, however, elements common to each call story:
Listening: God calls each for a plan he has. We need to listen for his call which is sometimes direct and clear, often indirect and subtle. We do not know how he calls us. One thing is certain: he will surprise us!
Recognising: We need help to recognize the Lord’s voice. Eli helped Samuel recognize that the voice he heard was God’s; John indicated the way to his disciples.
Responding: We need to say: “Here I am…”
Remaining: Samuel remained in the Lord’s temple; Andrew and the other disciple remained with Jesus two days. Discipleship is primarily remaining with the master.
God continues to call us to varied states in life, to varied ministries, for a unique mission in life.
Can I hear God calling me? Will I listen to his call, seek help to recognize it, respond to it, and remain with him?
Our life’s journey, too, is arduous. We face fearsome challenges and difficulties. We need to imitate the Magi in steadfastly seeking our goal: God! We need to keep a mental image of the times God has been with us and remind ourselves that he is with us. We need to allow ourselves to be guided by Christ’s light and seek direction from others. We need to have faith to recognize our king in the mundane and the ordinary; all too often we want to see him in the spectacular and the extraordinary. Our encounters with him ought to transform us and make us courageous to resist the “herods” of today.
Will I steadfastly seek the Lord despite the challenges I face? Will I allow myself to be transformed after my encounters with him?
By: Fr Dr Mascarenhas Vinod SDB