Is 6:1-8; I Cor 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11
A large
imperial court. Servants waited at the king for his command. They
proclaimed the praise of the one seated on the throne.
Holiness hovered over the court like a cloud. There at the corner of the
court stood a poor wretched, unclean, frail man. His eyes fell on
the king, and his state of unworthiness made him all the more miserable. He trembled with fear. One of the seraphs came down to him with fire from the Altar and touched his mouth with it to purify him. Then he heard the voice of the king,
the king, and his state of unworthiness made him all the more miserable. He trembled with fear. One of the seraphs came down to him with fire from the Altar and touched his mouth with it to purify him. Then he heard the voice of the king,
“Who shall I
send?”
The man
answered, “Here I am, Send me.”
That is
prophet Isaiah, accepting his divine call.
Today’s
readings contain the theme of God’s call. The divine call of Isaiah, the call
of
St. Paul
and Jesus’ call to St. Peter.
There are
several things in common in the way God called them and in the way they
reacted.
God’s call is always unexpected. St. Paul was galloping to Damascus to persecute the Christians
there. On his way, he received the call of Jesus. A sense of unexpected mystery
overtook him and he asked, “Lord, who are you?”
The Gospel
presents another unexpected call. An ordinary fisherman, Simon, was called
by Jesus. He said, “Follow me.” And he followed him.
The Old
Testament gives us numerous example of God’s call. And all of them came
unexpectedly. Moses was tending his sheep on Mount Sinai, when he was called.
The Judges Gideon, Esther and Deborah received their calls to take up a
specific mission and the call came unexpectedly.
A feeling of sinfulness came upon them
all; they felt
totally unfit for the task, and tried to decline it. When Moses was called he
said, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh! Moses hesitated to say “Yes”
to God. When Isaiah saw the overwhelming glory of God his sinfulness over took
him. Jeremiah protested, “I know not how to speak. I am too young. When Jesus
called St. Peter he said, “Lord, go away from me. I am a sinful man.” St Paul
became aware of his utter spiritual misery. Momentarily, he became physically
blind.
God responded to their sinfulness by reassuring them of His help.
To Moses he promised, “I will certainly be with you.” Isaiah was touched with
the divine fire. Jeremiah was told, “Have no fear; I am with you.” St
Peter was assured, “Do not be afraid, from now on it is men you will
catch.”
Once reassured by God they went through their
task courageously, enduring innumerable trials. Isaiah cried out, “Here I am.
Send me.” And he carried out the command of the Lord and prophesied till the
end of life. St Paul exhibited unchallengeable Zeal until the sword
of his enemies silenced him. St Peter remained faithful to his task to the moment
his body became still on the cross.
Call of God
continues in history. But we should keep our years open to hear, recognize
and accept it. Let us remember the words of Khalil Gibran “Wisdom stands at
the turn in the road and calls upon us publicly. But we consider it
false and despise its adherents.”
A reminder
from St Ignatius Loyola, “Even if you gain the whole world and lose your soul,
what do you gain?” upset the tranquillity of a young professor
and made him think. - think about the meaning of life. That was the
unexpected call to a great apostle, St. Francis Xavier.
A young,
curious and skeptic college student heard about a great
saint living in the forest. He visited him with an intention to question
him. When he reached there something overtook him. He sat at his feet and
asked him, “Guru, Have you seen God?” There came the unhesitant answer from
Guru, “Yes”, I see God in your eyes.” Swami Vivekananda recognized his
call from the words of Ramakrishna Parama Hamsa.
These
messages prompt us to be open to God in the circumstances of our lives, to
acknowledge that we are instruments of God, and to offer our
service to Him. If we can do this, God will accomplish through us what He
has once achieved through Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Paul and Peter.
Satish