Reflection
Come and you will see.
John 1:35-42
A sacred call is an invitation—an inner awareness that can neither be ignored nor denied. It comes when we least expect it and we never quite know where it might lead. In speaking of their call, most people do not describe a major disruption in their lives. Instead they speak of a quiet, slow awakening. They often tell about a period of uncertainty regarding what they are being called to do or be. The process of discerning God’s voice amidst all the other voices clamoring for their attention is often a process of trial and error. Whether the hearer responds to a surprise encounter, or comes to a decision as the result of a gradual awakening, a decision is made and a direction is taken. The call is transformative. Once heard it requires an answer.
Prayer
Speak, your servant is listening.
Action
Reflect on the times you may have had this experience. Do you think that present circumstances may be calling people to joint responses? Where might there be signs of this?
Suggested Reading
Samuel was sleeping in the temple of the Lord
where the ark of God was.
The Lord called to Samuel, who answered, “Here I am.”
Samuel ran to Eli and said, “Here I am. You called me.”
“I did not call you, “Eli said. “Go back to sleep.”
So he went back to sleep.
Again the Lord called Samuel, who rose and went to Eli.
“Here I am, “he said. “You called me.”
But Eli answered, “I did not call you, my son. Go back to sleep.”
The Lord called Samuel again, for the third time.
Getting up and going to Eli, he said, “Here I am. You called me.”
Then Eli understood that the Lord was calling the youth.
So he said to Samuel, “Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply,
Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”
1 Samuel3:3-10
Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them,
“What are you looking for?”
They said to him, “Rabbi” — which translated means Teacher —,
“where are you staying?”
He said to them, “Come, and you will see.”
John1:35-42
Jesus is not a figure from the past: He continues now and always to light the way for us.
Pope Francis
If I am to wholly follow the Lord Jesus Christ, I must forsake everything that is contrary to Him.
Aiden Wilson Tozer
Our Christian life began not with our decision to follow Christ but with God’s call to us to do so.
John Stott
What is a personal calling? It is God’s blessing. It is the path for you here on Earth. Whenever we do something that fills us with enthusiasm, we are following our legend. However, we don’t all have the courage to confront our own dream.
Paulo Coelho
The call of God is not just for a select few but for everyone. Whether I hear God’s call or not depends on the condition of my ears, and exactly what I hear depends upon my spiritual attitude.
Oswald Chambers
The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.
Parker Palmer
We often miss hearing God’s voice simply because we aren’t paying attention.
Rick Warren
When you have a sense of calling, whether it’s to be a musician, soloist, artist, in one of the technical fields, or a plumber, there is something deep and enriching when you realize it isn’t just a casual choice, it’s a divine calling. It’s not limited to vocational Christian service by any means.
Charles R. Swindoll
A calling is you feel – you look out and see the need – maybe it’s the need for the poor, to help poor people. Maybe it’s the need to get involved in the race problem, as Martin Luther King was – felt called.
Billy Graham
I really believe that what I do as an actress is my God-given talent. This is my calling, not my career.
Angela Bassett
I’ve come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that’s as unique as a fingerprint – and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you.
Oprah Winfrey