“...You called me.” From the time these words were spoken by Samuel, they became powerful words in the History of Salvation. Even though he mistakenly addresses his earthly master, Eli, the heart of a young man open to the call he hears sets the stage for what call and what grace is to come.
Last week we witnessed once again the obedience of the Son to the declaration of the One to whom his obedience is pleasing. That truth unfolds in the continuing witness of the Church to Jesus’ unyielding obedience, and of the call and response that will lay the foundation of the Church in his disciples.
“What are you looking for? Come and you will see.” Those to whom Jesus speaks these words had been disciples of John the Baptist. John’s call to repentance had been the call they heard, and probably the call with which they had become comfortable and convinced. But then there was Jesus. At John’s declaration, “Behold, the Lamb of God,” two followers of John shift gears and begin to follow Jesus. And one of them, Andrew, becomes instrumental in opening the mind and heart of his brother, Simon. As John the Baptist could ultimately only indicate the “One who is greater than he is,” Andrew can only witness to his brother that he is responding to Jesus. Jesus’ own call to Simon, who will be called Cephas [Peter, the Rock], will require of Simon his own decision to respond.
We all need to respond in life. It is built into us. The voice, the look, the potential and promise to which we respond varies with each person, and can shift or change in each of us as time passes and circumstances change. Beneath and within it all is THE call... to which we all are urged to respond “Here I am.” With all of the strength and sincerity within us, we pray for the grace to respond, and even become the call.