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01/18/2009
Readings1 Samuel 3:3b-10, 19
1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20
John 1:35-42
As any sports fan knows, it is commonplace to see a coach or manager screaming at his players. If a player has failed in some way, the coach will berate him for his mistake, and if a player has succeeded in some fashion, he will shout encouragement to him. As the leader of the team, the coach often believes he needs to be forceful to gain the respect and obedience he needs to be successful. This type of leadership is also often found in the business world and even sometimes in families.
Today’s readings show that the Lord calls his followers in a completely different fashion. Samuel heard the voice of the Lord while resting and thought it was from someone in the next room! The Lord did not shake the foundations of the earth or let his voice boom through the heavens. No, he called Samuel in a quiet voice, one that simply said Samuel’s name. Once Samuel recognized who it was calling, he likewise responded in simplicity.
Similarly, John’s Gospel relates the calling of the first two apostles to Christ. In this instance, Christ does not even call them directly – his mere presence is enough to attract them to him. John the Baptist points Jesus out as the “lamb of God,” and Andrew and John go to Jesus and ask, “where do you live?” Jesus responds with a simple “Come and see.” Christ feels no need to force himself upon these two men. He does not need to convince them, cajole them, or otherwise push them into his service. He simply invites them into his presence. As the Word made flesh, his very person calls out to these two men and tells them all they need to know to follow him. This should be the model for all evangelization – the job of each Catholic is not to force on the world the truth about God, but through words and actions manifest the presence of Christ in the world. Those who are open to his presence – like Andrew and John – will be drawn to the beauty and truth that is Jesus Christ and will desire to follow him.
These callings of God show His great respect for human freedom. God wishes each person to give themselves over to His love, but He desires that their love be freely given, not forced. This reflects the inner life of the Trinity, in which each divine person gives without restraint His entire self to the other persons in love. Each of us are called by God to do likewise – give ourselves completely to God and to others, without coercion or force. God will most certainly call, we must be available and open to hear His voice.
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