God’s Call

   “Lord, while I was still far away from You, You coaxed me in a great many ways to hear You from afar and be converted to You and call upon You.  (St. Augustine, “Confessions” 13, 1)

   When I was much younger I thought of God’s call as applicable only to those who were called to the priesthood, the deaconate and the religious life such as monks and nuns.  The rest of us were just there to support their efforts.  Maybe we would sing in the choir, help in the Mass or maybe participate in a ministry such as visiting the sick or others.  We could contribute, but we weren’t really called.

   I’ve come to realize that, like St. Augustine, we are all called.  God has a plan for us and will lead us in that plan if we allow it.  There are many ways we can serve God and His calling other than formal religious life.  He wants us all and He will continue calling as long as we are alive.  Even when we reject Him, God still calls.  He urges us to turn back to Him and serve Him in the manner He has planned for us.

   He calls us but God will never demand that we follow, the choice is ours.  But I believe that within us all is the knowledge that God is calling and unless we respond we will never know true happiness and contentment.  There is a need within that only He can fill, and we remain partially empty until we allow Him to fill us.

   If we are to find Him we must to turn to Him and listen for His call.  He may speak clearly, or we may have to struggle to hear Him but hearing Him is the first step on the road to heaven.  Open your heart and let Him fill it with His will.  Answer His call and journey with Him to eternal life.

Lord, You call each of us.

So many times we don’t listen.

Open our hearts to Your word.

Let us hear Your call and answer.

Amen