CALLED TO BE
Jesus Christ
prompts us to bear witness to the value of God in our lives.
In
today's first reading, the prophet Isaiah claims to have seen God in the
Temple. At least occasionally, we might have been similarly moved. We have the
opportunity daily to touch the sacramental Body of Christ. Those of us who
persevere in our participation in the Eucharist have answered for ourselves in
some way these questions about what prayer and worship means to us. Worship, no
matter how colored, is the center of Christian life, and from it should flow
all the good of Christian activity. Isaiah's vision was not just a private
consolation for him. At the end of this scene, we hear him responding to our
heavenly Father's call: "Here I am...send me!" (Is 6:8).
Let
us reflect on these two simple, yet powerful statements of Isaiah. "Here I
am" is recognizing that I am present. I am someone; I am called to be in
God's kingdom. Further, this statement is recognizes the unique talents that
each of us posses: our personality, creativity, and spirit that God has blessed
us with.
Jesus
Christ prompts us to bear witness to the value of God in our lives. We either
acknowledge the Lord, or we deny Him. There is no middle ground for us to
believe, yet somehow remain silent and hidden. Jesus' words push us out to the
front lines, and make us a part of something great-the story of His life. Yet,
we are not left to our own resources. Jesus declares that God will not abandon
us. He watches over each one carefully, counts the hairs of our head, and knows
we are more valuable than sparrows. We gain much strength in trusting this!
In
the responsorial psalm, we acclaim, "The Lord is king; he is robed in
majesty" (Ps 93). Praying this today should help us realize that daily
life is easier because He is God. Let us respond to God like Isaiah: "Send
me."