Our first reading today is from Isaiah 6. It is one that you will often hear from Vocation Directors. And rightfully so. More in a moment. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 10, Jesus tells His disciples not to be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. “Rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.” Physical attacks and hurt feelings mean nothing when compared to the loss of our souls.
Isaiah 6:8 – “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?’ ‘Here I am,’ I said; ‘send me!’ ” Doesn’t it seem that so often when God calls, we are reluctant, at best, to answer that call? Why is that? We’re busy, shy, scared, apathetic, lazy…the excuses are myriad. When we hear that there is work to be done in the vineyard, we can always think of someone else that fits the bill perfectly. But us…not so much.
How do you think the world could be changed if we took on the attitude of Isaiah? If, when God called out to us, we jumped to our feet and said, “Here I am! Send me!” Oh, you say, but God has never called out to me that way. Nonsense! He may have used someone else as His messenger. Search your heart today. Could God be calling out to you for some special work in His Kingdom? How will you respond?
Father, you call us all to a unique task in the Kingdom. Help us respond with enthusiasm, as your servant Isaiah did. Amen.
Very fitting that you point out how many of us feel that we have not been called on this feast of St. Benedict. His Rule has been called the foundation of Western civilization and is not limited to those in religious life.
Here is a link to a basic outline of his Rule – with a number of things each and every one of us can do:
http://www.benedictfriend.org/the-rule.html