Whose Will Be Done?

Be Still and Know that I am God . . .

First Saturday in Lent, 2/25/22

“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.  For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life?”    Matthew 16:24-26

Today’s theme from St. Francis and St. Clare is regarding our vocation or call in life and how we can learn to follow God’s will for our lives rather than our own.  The Gospels tell us that the Apostles who were called to follow Christ, did indeed, leave behind jobs and family and all that was comfortable for them. Some went from fishermen to ‘fishers-of-men’.  Jesus used what was familiar to them to challenge them. So often, the chosen twelve must have been very perplexed, and wondered what they had gotten themselves into when they opted to follow Jesus.  But, with the benefit of hindsight, we learn that Jesus turned life upside down for them, and, for all of us!  Most of the Apostles would follow Jesus, quite literally, into martyrdom, Over His three years of earthly ministry, we see Jesus try to help them understand what He was asking of them, and what was His vocation – only to follow His Father in Heaven’s will.

That is our vocation, even today. We often think of vocation as nurse, or doctor, or teacher, or mother/father, etc., but within any profession we might feel called to pursue, we must ask ourselves, “How can I serve God and do His will through this work?”

I know at different times in my life I have been frustrated when I thought certain I was doing God’s will, only to discover after disillusionment and disappointment, and, of course 20/20 hindsight, that I was really following mine. I think God must have been blessing my will, waiting patiently for me to come back to Him and seek His guidance, once again. Even contemplating writing this blog, I thought, ‘I should follow up with what Francis and Clare want to share for today.’, but I happened upon this passage that seemed to deepen my meditation on yesterday’s theme of God’s rich mercy:

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance and endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.  And this hope will not lead to disappointment.  For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hears with His love.” Romans 5:3-4

In light of the scriptures, we can compare the Prodigal son’s greed and selfish behavior and where it lead him -to- the Apostle’s sacrificing of everyone and everything they knew, to follow Jesus.  We too, have the very same choice to make for our life’s journey.

I can’t help but think that the Prodigal son was indeed strengthened through his trials and sufferings from his bad choices.  It requires a unique perspective to see a trial or suffering as a benefit, but this might prove a deepening meditation of yesterday’s Gospel passage.  With a bit more imagination, can you put yourself in the footsteps of this young man who was lost? What strength it must have taken, with a healthy dose of humility added, to come back to his father?  He risked rejection, disgrace, and humiliation. Yet, he received compassion, mercy and love.  His father mirrored our Heavenly Father’s unconditional love towards his son – can you imagine this love being showered upon you, as you approach God?  Can you put yourself in the loving arms of your Creator and feel that ‘Holy Spirit filling your heart with His love’?

Going back to Thursday’s blog/scripture - a different letter from St. Paul’s, the one to Timothy about perseverance.  These are all notable characteristics we need to truly and wholeheartedly follow Jesus. He does not promise it will be easy, in fact, He knows even the twelve closest to Him find it hard to comprehend what He is telling them. And, they ate and traveled and lived with him for three years!

So, do you think you are following God’s will for your life? What are some of the signposts or flags that are informing you, yes, -or- no?

Do you agree that endurance, and perseverance are necessary to stay on the path that God sets ahead for you? What is your most difficult trial, or suffering, or challenge to following God through your vocation?

What is also necessary is silence! I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the words SILENT and LISTEN contain the exact same letters. You must become still, and listen. Endurance and Perseverance are required for this ‘still’ challenge as much as any arduous labor required to finish a task.

May you continue to be blessed upon your journey.