Your Call
One
In today’s Gospel, Jesus climbs the Mt. of Beatitudes and calls 12 of his followers to be his apostles. The word apostle means ‘one who is sent.’ We read in Mark’s Gospel, “Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom He wanted, and they came to him. He appointed Twelve, whom He also named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and have authority to drive out demons…” (Mk 3:13-14.) Jesus sends his Apostles out into a world of evil and suffering to draw the attention of Israel back to God. However, He does not send them out empty handed. He gives them great gifts. They are given the inspiration of what to say when the time comes, and how to combat Satan and the plague of demonic influence. This is the sign of this divine call. A chief insight of the Second Vatican council centers on this idea of the call, or in church language, a vocation. Through my baptism, I am called by Jesus to go out, and I am equipped to respond to that call. How do I do this? Follow the example of the Apostles. First, Listen to Him. This will require time in silent prayer. Second, respond “Yes Lord, I will go”. Christ’s call must be more important to us than our hobbies, careers, and other relationships. Third, act with confidence that you have been given the gifts you need for where you are. Listen, Respond, Act. Which part do I struggle with the most? Lord, help me to Listen, respond, and act, so that I may help you win back souls from the clutches of Satan, and be living witnesses to you.
Two
Each and every call from God has a two-part structure: a communal one aimed at serving others, and an individual one aimed at personal holiness. For priests and religious, they are called to share their gifts, whether they be gifts tied to ordination or the evangelical councils of poverty, chastity, and obedience. They are also given gifts that are specific to them as individuals, and they express these gifts in a way utterly unique to their personality. The same is true for all the baptized. We have all been given gifts that are shared in common, like the gifts of Wisdom, Understanding, Council, Fear of the Lord. We also have gifts that are uniquely our own. St. Paul teaches, “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good… All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.” (1 Cor 12: 8-11.) God knows that His call is hard, so He has given us the gifts we need, at the time we need them. I often get frustrated because I look at the things God has called me to do, Be a good husband, father, employee, leader, and I feel like I don’t have the gifts I need answer my callings well. But God has an annoying habit of giving things to us at the moment we need them, and not before. I need to believe that He will help me when I need Him. Take a moment and call to mind all your responsibilities in your life. Is leading others to Christ one of them? Do you believe He will help you whenever you need? Lord I believe, help my unbelief.
Three
Our times are confusing, dangerous and aggravating. Some would even consider ours as a time of crisis. However, as some have pointed out, the Chinese character for crisis is almost identical to the Chinese character for opportunity. If we are facing a crisis, we are also facing a momentous opportunity. I am often asked, ‘Troy, what are we to do in this time of crisis?’ Aside from the obvious answer, namely pray, especially the rosary, there are two other responses offered to us by St. Thérèse: Trust and Love. In these times of difficulty, let us trust Jesus, and love God and our neighbor, especially if they think or act differently than we do. Love requires sacrifice, and sacrifice is the most powerful form of love This is why it’s so beneficial to belong to a Movement like the Movement of the Holy Family. We unite our sacrifices, the most powerful form of Love, for the sake of each other, and each of our loved ones. Use this time of crisis, when we are forced to make many sacrifices, as a time of opportunity to answer our call, and win souls for Christ. Lord, I give you my suffering, pain, heartbreak, fear, and confusion. Accept my sacrifice, united to your own, in reparation for my sins, and the sins of the world.
Four
When the Apostles went out, they could have been very anxious. They had to come face-to-face with Pharisees and Demoniacs, neither of whom liked Jesus, and certainly would not like to see that He is sending others out with His power. But the Apostles persevered, and discovered that, when the time came, God told them what to say and showed them what to do. If you are afraid saying the wrong thing, or looking foolish, or ruining relationships, remember that they were first. And we can ask for the Help of the Apostles when we feel anxious, embarrassed, or discouraged. Chances are, you are not called to get up in front of a bunch of strangers and proclaim the Gospel. But you most certainly are called to bring Christ into your relationship with your family, friends, and anyone you have a relationship with. How do you do that? Begin with good conversations, if you aren’t having them already. Then form a friendship. Then invite them to share life with you, including your habit of praying the rosary. Remember how the apostles must have felt. God knows how you feel, and of what you are afraid or anxious when it comes to sharing His word. Bring these fears to Him, and trust that, when the time comes, if you are ready and willing, God will tell you what to say, and show you what to do.
Five
The Church has given us a great way to remember all these aspects of our own calls. In our vocations, we must, like Christ, be Priests, Prophets, and Kings.
Our call in Jesus entails our conformity to Him as priest, prophet, and king. We receive this call in our baptism. As priest, we are to sacrifice and unite our sufferings to the cross. This is how we can atone for sins, even the sins of others, and bring them to Christ for their own salvation. This is what it means to rescue souls. To be a prophet doesn’t mean to predict the future, but to proclaim and apply the Word of God to our current situation. This entails a call to repent and believe the Good News of Jesus Christ. A king rules, and we are called to rule over ourselves, to rule over our vices and imperfections so as to be able to hear and respond to God’s further calls and graces. Thus, all of us are called communally to live as priests, prophets, and kings, as well as to trust and love as a specific response to the circumstances of our times. Individually, these calls will flow from our own unique individuality and specific personality. Within these calls we also have personal calls on how to use the gifts God has given us to live this mission in a way that is unique.