Vocation and Action

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

January 26, 2014

Matthew 4:12-23

“At once they left their nets and followed him (Mat 4:20).”

A classic question: “How do you know that you are called?”  This inquiry falls under category of ‘classic’ not only because people always post it to me, but because it is so generic that I can throw it back to almost everyone. “Are you sure that she will be a good and faithful wife for you?” or “Do you believe that being teacher is your best lifelong profession?”

Contemplating on the issue for years, I have to admit that I do not know the precise answer. Some people possess the special gift through which they are able to see or hear the Lord instructing them what to do. Some other have developed a certain skill of discernment. Some other weight the practical sides: material benefits, health reasons, family priority, etc. But, in the final analysis, when we are confronted with two or more good options that will alter our lives radically, most of us have no idea of what to choose.

Yet, learning from today’s Gospel, we can see that it is not primarily about ‘certainty, knowing, or weighing’, but about firm decision making and concrete action. I believe we need to read this episode from a very human perspective. The first four disciples, Peter, Andrew, James and John had not known Jesus as God the Son, but perhaps as an itinerant prophet and probable Messiah. When the invitation was thrown to them, they could see that to remain with their job and grow as skillful fishermen was as good as following this charismatic preacher and a future Jewish king. Yet, time was of the essence. Jesus was leaving soon and there was not enough time for veering right and left. Then, they made up their mind.

Their journey is not about whether they have the vocation or not, but whether they make their vocation a fruitful reality or a regrettable move. Like the disciples, every time we face several life-changing choices, we steadfastly pick one and make it our own vocation. It is not about ‘weighing’, but to concretely act on our decision and pour forth our passion into it.

Definitely, it is easier said than done. The disciples banged a bumpy road. They encountered a Master who liked to speak in parables. They had to follow extremely difficult teachings of Jesus. They faced the hostility of the Jews. Eventually, they needed to accept the bitter reality that Jesus ended his life on a cross. Yet, these were precisely what transformed their vocation into deeply meaningful. They acted to follow Jesus through thick and thin of life, and they were made ready to see the Resurrected Christ. Like the disciples, we have to give our lives in our chosen vocations despite all, so that we may discover the fullness of life.

Br. Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP