It was a number of years ago in the seminary, the year was 2020. Early in that springtime, there I was, sitting, waiting by the mailbox. It wasn’t because I had nothing else to do, but it was because this letter was important. Eventually, that day came! I found the letter addressed to me, from the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau! What was this letter, you ask? My call to orders. This letter is the official summons that the Catholic Church uses to indicate to a man that he has indeed been called by his bishop to be ordained- whether to the diaconate or the priesthood. It shows that this particular man- or myself in this case- was called by name to be ordained a priest! Truly this is some great and very exciting news!
While that may be a unique application in receiving a particular calling to a particular vocation- was is not so particular is the fact that we are all a people chosen and called by God! It isn’t something reserved to just a select few but is rather something that is meant to be shared amongst many places- many nations- and in fact all of us who are in this church today! Yet, as we hear about and receive a calling- why does that matter? Why is Christ commissioning disciples, not just in His time, but also today? Perhaps there is something more that is happening than meets the eye!
The first reading today is taken from the book of the prophet Isaiah, and to understand what is going on in Isaiah, we have to look at his surroundings. By in large, when Isaiah speaks, it is to a people that have a bad lot in life. He speaks directly to the Israelites, who have not exactly been enjoying God’s favor at this time. In fact, they have undergone the Babylonian exile, and so they are distraught, because they feel that they have lost God’s favor, not just for a time, but perpetually. So, they are constantly mourning their oppression.
Yet, in the beauty of God’s design, and in his wisdom of utilizing the prophet Isaiah, he uses him to speak a very beautiful message. To be clear, God could have said a lot of different things! He could’ve come down on them and spoken very harshly. From a certain point of view, the Israelites got exactly what they had coming to them! Yet, that is not what our God is about, nor what he finds to be the best approach in speaking to the people. So, what does he say?
Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all you who love her! Prosperity is coming! Isaiah, in this section of the book, focuses on the capstone of his work- and wants to encourage the people in a moment where they could easily give themselves over to defeat! He wants them to experience the true nurturing that their God has for them- and what better image to use for that than a mother! We’ve likely had the experience of seeing a newborn child at complete peace and comfort in their mother’s arms! They don’t want for anything, but are simply provided for in every way. They want for nothing else. There is a sense of true satisfaction! It is no mistake that Isaiah uses that very same imagery here- because in a critical moment, he wants to reassure the entire Israelite community that they have no reason to despair at this moment- their God is preparing to call them from a place of enslavement and banishment into a place of true and abiding joy and peace! This is where our Responsorial Psalm comes in- “Let all the earth cry out to God with joy!”
If we move into the second reading, we hear from Saint Paul and His letter to the Galatians. The message is very simple in a certain sense, and very profound in another. Saint Paul comes before the Galatians and says “May I never boast except in the Cross of our Lord, Jesus Christ.” It’s not about being circumcised. It’s not about if you aren’t. It is all about being a new creation. This really means something coming from Paul, but it makes sense. Think about Paul’s background: he recognizes that, if it were not for Christ and his mercy, he very well may not have come around to conversion. So, he is encouraging the Galatians to see the beautiful reality of what their life is- a gift from God. In fact, their divine life is very much the same! They aren’t to feel as if they accomplish anything on their own, but rather to look squarely into the reality of what is happening: Jesus Christ has come and claimed all of them by the power of the Cross!
Finally we arrive at the Gospel, continuing the Gospel of Luke. Jesus commissions seventy-two of his disciples to go forth and to prepare the way for Him. As He commissions them, He gives them very strict instructions on what they are to do, where they are to go, how they are to speak, and even what to do in the times of rejection. It is a very simple message that He tells them to go and preach: the Kingdom of God is at hand for you.”
As Jesus commissions the disciples, though, notice, they go out, and they do exactly as they are instructed. What happens? They are greeted with awesome signs and wonders! They notice that they have been given all sorts of tremendous power by their calling- they are driving out demons, there are spirits that are fleeing before them. As many incredible things as they have seen- Jesus tells them that there are many more in store: that they are not even to be threatened by the power of the evil one- because they are filled with Christ’s own spirit.
There is one more powerful thing though- and Jesus reminds them of it as well. Don’t rejoice because of these powers, but rejoice rather because your names are written in the kingdom of heaven. They have been called- they have answered- and because of that, they are truly given a gift beyond all reckoning- and one that will be a source of comfort and blessing for them! They have been called and their names are written in the kingdom of Heaven…
As we consider that calling and that comfort that the disciples receive, though, it is a good moment for us to stop and reflect- how are we being called to serve? What should we be doing now? The first thing to realize with all of this is that God has called you! This isn’t just an abstract or remote idea- but it is very real and palpable! The same God that loved and nurtured the Israelites is calling each of you in a specific way. This is ultimately a way of hope! If we need to be convinced of that, we should go back to that very same imagery that Isaiah uses of a mother and her child. There is a tender love in the embrace of that mother with her child- and so it should be with each and every one of us. God wants to renew us and to give us what we need. This is especially true in the moments of our own exile- or where we feel that don’t have it all together. The moments where we struggle with grief, with weakness, or even with wrongdoing! God wants us to rejoice in the restoration of Jerusalem- or put simply, in the fact that He calls us to heaven!
Next, we should have an awareness of the fact that we do not boast in our own calling to be disciples. Make no mistake- the fact that you are here in Church, listening to this, or reading this- all of that boasts of God’s power in the Cross. Nothing we have done merits this moment or the grace that is ours- and yet God gives it to us freely! That means that we aren’t to be overly proud- but we should be grateful that our names have been called through the Cross of Christ.
Finally, we should realize: proclaiming the kingdom of heaven is not just a job left to the “professionals.” The temptation that can often occur is seeing those we consider to be effective preachers of the Gospel to the masses. We can think of deacons, priests, bishops, evangelists, to name just a few. That is their job and vocation, and therefore, they must be highly effective! Why should I worry about it? I haven’t received a call letter, like any priest or deacon would, have I?
The reality is that we should worry about it because we have all received the commission that Christ offers. It isn’t about just those who we think should preach. It is about each of us- and we proclaim the Gospel in unique and powerful ways, whether that be at home, at work, in public, or wherever we are. Jesus has given you that ability to proclaim that the “Kingdom of God is at hand!” You can preach in ways that I cannot to people that I cannot. So many need to hear the Good News- and that is why Jesus sends all of us out. He has given us Good News- and we should be bold in our proclamation of it! Something for us all to consider- where are we being called to preach that message?
Who needs to hear from you that “the Kingdom of God is at hand?
