February 9, 2025
Loving Father,
Open our hearts to your Word. May Your Son, the Word of Life, fill us with joy as we reflect on His life, death, and resurrection. May we rejoice in His presence among us as we break open Scripture and share our faith together. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Commentary
We have been focusing on the theme of vocation over these last four weeks. Our readings this week will focus on the calling we receive to embrace our vocation in the Church.
In an “apocalyptic” style dream, Isaiah sees himself before the throne of God. The image of the Lord’s royal train, the angels singing God’s praises, and the smoke-filled house was all too much for the prophet. Knowing the rule that anyone – especially a blemished sinner – who gazes upon the Lord is doomed to be destroyed, Isaiah cries out ”Woe is me!”
Quickly, an angel of God offers a quick remedy for Isaiah’s sinful nature, thus rendering him clean and allowing him to stand before the throne.
Made clean, Isaiah now hears the Lord call him to a vocation as a prophet of God. Isaiah’s response is immediate: “Here I am! Send me!”
How have you been called by God to serve? Do you assume that God only calls saints?
Commentary
St. Paul shows us three different ways in which people may be called to follow the Lord. The first way, like Peter (Cephas), the Apostles, and many others, is through the direct witness of the Resurrected Lord. The second way is through a profound revelation or conversion – as in the case of Paul himself on the road to Damascus.
The third way is much more subtle.
St. Paul assumes that most of his listeners did not receive direct revelations from the Lord. He also acknowledges that they are believers. So, how did they come to believe and follow the Lord? Paul has the answer: “Whether it be I or they (the Apostles), so we preach and so you believed.”
Most of us will not be called by God in a dream (as in our First Reading), or by some tangible sighting of the Lord. Rather, we respond to God’s calling through the proclamation of the Word of God which has been handed down over the ages. For over 2,000 years, the proclamation of the Gospel has empowered people to hear and follow the Lord.
Who or what in your life has inspired you to follow the Lord?
Continued...
Commentary
The word vocation means calling. More often than not, there are at least three stages to a spiritual or religious calling.
The first stage involves a spiritual conversion or change in one’s spiritual practice. This stage usually follows a period of silence or some days of rest. For example, a high school, college, or adult retreat in the mountains, a visit to a monastery, or an added daily routine of frequent visits to the Blessed Sacrament.
This first stage can be compared to Jesus’ command for Peter to “put out into the deep.” Going deeper in our daily lives to tap into our soul and find richer meaning and purpose for our existence is necessary and usually the first step toward discovering our calling.
After going “deeper,” we are confronted with a desire to change our past pattern of behavior (our second stage). In Peter’s case, he admits his sinfulness and falls at Jesus’ feet.
The final stage is similar to the scene where Jesus says to the contrite Peter, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” This final stage sets the Apostles up to follow Jesus.
Have you ever been through any of these stages in your life?
When was the last time you were on a retreat? Take time this week to circle a weekend, day, or even a half of a day in your calendar to make a retreat and spend some time with the Lord. Slow down and let God catch up. God wants to hear from you. He may even have something to say to you.
All pray Psalm 138
Response: In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
Used with Permission. All rights reserved. Christ in Our Neighborhood © is a Scripture program designed by Bishop John Dolan of the Diocese of Phoenix. Free resources at dphx.org/christ-in-our-neighborhood.
