Called and Qualified… You Have Everything You Need

A Reading for the Holy Gospel according to Mark

 After John had been arrested,
Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God:
“This is the time of fulfillment.
The kingdom of God is at hand.
Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
As he passed by the Sea of Galilee,
he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea;
they were fishermen.
Jesus said to them,
“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Then they abandoned their nets and followed him.
He walked along a little farther
and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.
They too were in a boat mending their nets.
Then he called them.
So they left their father Zebedee in the boat
along with the hired men and followed him.

Do you remember being at recess and picking teams for the day’s kickball, basketball or football game? Does anyone ever remember getting picked first?... Yeah, me neither. I usually wasn’t picked last, but I definitely wasn’t picked first.  I was typically that solid 5th or 6th round, middle-of-the-pack pick depending on who was sick, but for me, being picked on a team was a feeling like no other - being chosen for something. 

Have you ever sat down and wondered why Jesus picked fishermen? Sometimes I just want to ask Him, “Jesus, the fate of the world rests on the shoulders of the men you choose … You couldn’t pick a strong warrior, a wise leader or how about someone who can read and write?” There are probably a litany of reasons out there as to why Jesus chose fishermen over others, but, for me, God chose these men because they were ordinary, dedicated men with good hearts. With that alone, God knew He could change the world, and He did just that. The story of these ordinary men being called out of the water to change the world should echo within the heart of every Christian because from the very moment the waters of baptism touches our forehead. We too are being hand-picked out of the water to change the world.

But why me? I’m not holy as [insert that other person here]. What do I have to offer? 

These questions are always waiting to fill our minds once we begin the process of reflecting on our own call. For the longest time, these types of questions petrified me in fear and cast a strong shadow of doubt over me and what I had to offer. Growing up, I used to get made fun of for the way I talked, and I chose not to speak up when I was in front of people because of that insecurity. Flash forward to today - can you guess what the Lord ended up calling me to do? Of course, it was to speak in front of groups of young people. 

If you ever doubt if you are good enough to be a follower of Christ and to answer His call, remember this: most of the disciples were illiterate, but from their mouths (and the tradition that followed from them) came the greatest story ever to be told and the greatest book ever to be written. Sometimes the qualities that we see in ourselves as weaknesses or insecurities are the same qualities that God uses to change the world (if we allow Him to). It’s true that in God, even our weaknesses become our strength (2 Corinthians 12:9).  

No matter what our insecurities or past failures are, God stands waiting for us to respond to His call with the same magnanimity and humility of the disciples. I absolutely love reflecting on these two virtues and their great value to the life of a disciple. In embodying magnanimity, we know that we are made for greatness, but it is important that we simultaneously embody humility in order for us to acknowledge where that greatness comes from (the Source of all greatness). This is the true disposition of a disciple of Christ. It is important to reflect upon which of those virtues we need more of in order to better respond to His call. 

Most of us will never know the true depth of our own call until we reach the gates of heaven, and many of us may not even have a clue what God wants us to do right now in this very moment - and that’s ok. I was picked to work with young people and bring them to Jesus; that’s all I honestly know at this point. What have you been picked to do? This isn’t like recess where you are waiting on the sideline to be picked. 

You were already chosen. You were chosen on the Cross. You were chosen by God and by your parents to enter this world. You were chosen to participate in the mission of the Church at your baptism and you affirmed that mission at confirmation. Not only are you already on the team, but you are an incredibly valued member of that team. All you need to do right now is start playing the game and rely on Christ to direct your movements. Let Him lead you and allow yourself to be led and together we will continue the work of a group of ordinary people chosen to help transform the world one play at a time and one heart at a time. Never forget that you are both called AND qualified, because in Christ you have everything you need to succeed. In Christ, you lack nothing. 

This week, I encourage you to pray with this reflection and ask for the Lord to reveal how He is uniquely calling you. How is the Lord trying to use you, in your life and in your circumstance? Do you struggle with embodying magnanimity or humility? Which do you need more of to better respond to Him and to others?

 

About the Author: West Giffin is the Associate Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry (Red Stick Catholics) at the Diocese of Baton Rouge. West grew up in Baton Rouge and was an active participant in youth ministry programs during middle and high school. These programs allowed him to find true community and cultivate a personal encounter with Christ. Before working at the Diocese, West brought his love for fostering faith-based communities to Most Blessed Sacrament parish, where he was the youth minister for four years. When West isn’t working or pursuing his Master of Art degree in Pastoral Leadership from Notre Dame Seminary Graduate School, he can be found spending quality time with his son, Mason.

Favorite Saint (at the moment): St. Pio Pietrelcina, St. Maximilian Kolbe and Servant of God Emil Kapaun… All are beautiful saints of virtue. I’ve been reading a collection of letters from St. Pio recently and they have really spoken to my heart. St. Maximilian is of course one of my long-time favorites because he and I are both Mama’s boys. Father Kapaun though is a recent addition to my list of favorite saints/holy men of God and I absolutely love his epic virtue that he embodied as a chaplain in the Korean War. Even after being captured, he inspired hope throughout the P.O.W. camp and kept the other prisoners spirits high despite the dire circumstances they were in. Also, fun fact: he received the Medal of Honor for his courage in the midst of battle. Think about that, a Catholic priest (and potential saint) won the medal of honor WHAAAA?!

Favorite Song from the Gather Hymnal (aka your favorite traditional church song): Canticle of the Turning. (Don’t judge… I see you judging…)