Isaiah, Simon Peter, Paul: three men, each called by the Lord. Why did God choose them, and how did they respond to this call?
In the 8th c. BC, the prophet Isaiah has a vision in which he sees the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, with the train of his garment filling the temple. God’s presence can barely be contained, and Isaiah is overwhelmed. Yet, although he feels himself to be unworthy and inadequate, Isaiah knows that he has nonetheless been chosen by God. When the ember that one of the seraphim had taken with tongs from the fire touches Isaiah’s mouth, he is transformed, purified of any stain of infidelity, and can respond to God’s invitation, Whom shall I send? with a resounding, Here I am; send me! Would we respond with such alacrity?
In Luke's Gospel, when Jesus gets into the boat belonging to Simon, the fisherman is not enthusiastic about throwing out his net after a night during which they have caught nothing. Yet, upon witnessing with astonishment the catch of fish brought in on Jesus’ command, Simon falls at the knees of Jesus, exclaiming, Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man. Jesus’ response is meant to calm Simon’s worries: Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men. At these reassuring words, Simon and his companions leave everything and follow Jesus. Would we respond as wholeheartedly?
Paul reminds the Corinthians that he was not fit to be called an apostle because he persecuted the church of God, yet the Lord saw fit to appear to him nonetheless. God’s grace is doubly at work in Paul to make up for this brokenness, purifying Paul as God purified Isaiah. Paul’s persecutions of the Church did not lead Paul to this role; God chose him, and Paul allows God to work in him through the grace of God that is with him. As Psalm 138 states, The Lord will complete what he has done for us. Would we respond so humbly?
We struggle to imagine that we too might be called by the Lord. Like Isaiah, Simon Peter and Paul, we likely feel unworthy, incapable of earning the forgiveness necessary to serve in such a way. It is an ongoing struggle for us in our own brokenness; we let our brokenness be a barrier standing between ourselves and the Lord. Yet the Lord’s words to Simon – Do not be afraid! – are also there for us as we step out in faith and recognize our call, a call to walk with the Lord and to allow him to work in and through us, every single day. Do not be afraid!
This post is based on Fr. Pat’s Scripture class.
Image source: www.wordclouds.com
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