Learning about God’s callings in Scripture helps us see our life mission

Published: February 19, 2015

By Deacon Mike Cumnock
St. Mary Church, Batesville / St. Cecilia Church, Newport

In the Scripture readings leading up to Lent, we learned a lot about people who heard and responded to “the call.” 

Several weeks ago, we heard about the call of the prophet Samuel. The Lord called Samuel, but because he didn’t recognize or know the Lord at the time, he thought it was Eli calling him. After reporting to Eli three times, it is Eli who teaches Samuel how to respond: “Speak Lord your servant is listening.”

Once he recognizes who is calling, he listens and grows in the Lord. His learning began through the tutoring of Eli. Today we call that spiritual direction. Samuel went on to become a trustworthy prophet.

In the Gospel from that same Sunday, John the Baptist tells his disciples when he sees Jesus coming "... there is the Lamb of God!” However, he admits that he, John, didn’t know Jesus was the Christ until the Spirit of God came to rest upon him at the Jordan River, fulfilling a prophecy he received from the Lord. Then, we heard how Jesus called his disciples and chose some of them to be his apostles.

We are told that the disciples answered the call and then went on to abide with Jesus. “Abide” is an interesting word signifying the development of a close relationship, allowing the master to teach you, to live with you and in you. It indicates the ability to persevere — even surrender.

But again the first disciples had been prepared by John to look forward to the arrival of the Lamb of God. Then Jesus proclaimed that “... the Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel” and people “were astonished at his teaching ...”

These Scriptures have reminded me to pray that I will hear and answer my call. As we approach Lent, how can we learn to recognize our own call to follow Jesus and — even better — come to abide in him? Clearly the gift of the kingdom was given to the world in Jesus.

He called together a people, both Jews and Gentiles, making them one in the Spirit. I have heard the Church referred to as the “budding forth” of that kingdom though we know that the kingdom is much broader than that. When we pray, “Thy kingdom come” knowing it is already here, we are actually calling for our perfecting of that kingdom on earth.

The secrets we need to know to answer our own call are imbedded in these readings. All of us are being called to assist in the perfecting of the kingdom; this will require an intense conversion, a change of heart, repentance for our sins and a determination to live a better life. Lent reminds us that, as sinners, our entire life is one endless conversion.

Samuel had to recognize “the one” who was calling him and then listen. As we establish and build a loving relationship with Jesus, we must communicate with him not only during public prayer but in private conversations as well.

As Abbot Jerome Kodell, OSB, wrote in his 1999 book, “Twelve Keys to Prayer,” “True prayer, like true love, is a decision not a feeling.”

We should regularly read the Scriptures, especially the words of Jesus, and allow him to be our teacher. May this Lent be a time of recognition that Jesus is indeed calling each of us and may we abide in and with him! Amen.

Deacon Mike Cumnock serves St. Mary Church in Batesville and St. Cecilia Church in Newport. This article was originally published in Arkansas Catholic Feb. 21, 2015. Copyright Diocese of Little Rock. All rights reserved. This article may be copied or redistributed with acknowledgement and permission of the publisher.