THE CALLING

Reflection for  3^rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

January 22, 2012

Every time we were called by our parents or someone older than us for sure we have different responses depending on what we do or whom are we with. We may close our ears as if nothing is calling,  we may get angry and answer the wrong way or we may say “I’m coming!” with joy and excitement for their call.

Three thoughts came to my mind as I look upon the calling of the first disciples:

First, what struck me when Jesus called his disciples was that he did not choose the well – known, clever, famous, politicians in his time but rather hw chose a simple, honest fishermen. Maybe because God knows that a good and a generous heart is far more important than a proud and ambitious head.

Another, when Jesus called his disciples they are not actually found in the Gospel as praying, meditating or inside the church but rather in their workplace. For God, beyond our work is our daily response to God’s call to be his true followers.

Lastly, in the Old Testament when God instructed Jonah to preach the Ninivites for their call to repentance they immediately repent same as through with Peter, Andrew, James and John. And in the Gospel the four fishermen immediately leave the boats and their nets and even their father just to follow Jesus to be one of his disciples.

The calling of the disciples two thousand years ago rouse me to reflect on God’s calling to each and every one of us from the very moment when we receive the sacraments of initiation. Our baptism, confirmation and every time we receive the body of Christ in Holy Communion. It is as if God is calling us NOW. Not tomorrow, not next week but now wherever we are, whatever we do as long as we hear the word of God.

Although we may say to be a Christian is easier said and done, Jesus gave us the answer as to how we can do it with his help. This is through sincere repentance and our belief in him. Repentance is a complete change (conversion) in our way of thinking. People’s natural desire is for self – interest, success, money, pleasure, power and enjoyment but when one is converted he begins to think according what God dictates him. Belief is different from logical thinking or reasoning.  It is an attempt to pattern our life as what Jesus proposes.

Every time we hear the Word of God proclaim in the Eucharist, do we feel the invitation and call of the Lord to be his true disciples? Are we willing to give our life and surrender it totally to the Lord NOW? Our answers and actions will verify what sort of believers we are.