What does it mean to be called by God? The question is
particularly important for those who are still discerning their vocation, as
well as for all of us in vows, who are called by the Rule to daily
conversion. The salient points of the catechesis are something like this:
- God
acts with total freedom and in deep mystery when he calls. He
uses surprise means in his own place and time. And he always
anticipates us in his mercy.
- God
intervenes with power and majesty within the extreme ordinariness of our
lives.
- The
call is always puzzling; it defeats human logic.
- The
call always brings fire into our lives and person: it is at the
same time enthralling and painful because such is the nature of
transformation. It makes us better, though it can feel as if it is
destroying us.
- The
call stretches our private persons, so that a life previously
led only for self and family now becomes ecclesial: we must now live
for all those God loves.
- The
call requires attentiveness in listening, and the willingness to
comply.
- The
calls at once thrills and humbles one: it awakens a sense of
one’s inadequacy.
- Everything
occurs by the power of God’s presence and continual guidance: “I will be
with you!”
- The
first results of an authentic call, once accepted, are: freedom from any
slavery and the ability and desire to worship the living
God. Liberation always leads to grateful adoration.
- Finally,
like a river leads to the ocean, the call leads to constant immersion
in prayer, to unceasing dialogue with the Father, as we see Jesus do
with the Father.
The chief characteristic of the dialogue is that the disciple,
like his Lord, is childlike in the sense that he is
an in-fans, that is, a little one who “lacks any little word of his
own” (Greek nepios). Every word that Jesus speaks
reveals the Father, because Jesus is the incarnate Word of the
Father. In his prayer, we see him receiving his very being from the
Father and returning it to the Father in praise and thanksgiving.
Photograph by Brother
Emmanuel. Reflection by Father Simeon.
