Hall of Fame - Let's consider our own calling, brothers and sisters... (Reflections for the 21st Saturday in Ordinary Time - Year 2).
All of us are called by God for a purpose. Period! No argument about that. Click here for today's readings.
Reflecting on today's reading taken from the 1st Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, I feel so grateful that I have been given this privilege and am called to serve the Lord. Though I am not worthy, not of human standards but the Lord has chosen me the weak and slowly molding me as I journey towards the priesthood. I am the Potter's clay. Yes Lord, I am your clay.
Let us look at the 1st reading for today (1Cor 1:26-31)
Consider your own calling, brothers and sisters.
Not many of you were wise by human standards,
not many were powerful,
not many were of noble birth.
Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise,
and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong,
and God chose the lowly and despised of the world,
those who count for nothing,
to reduce to nothing those who are something,
so that no human being might boast before God.
It is due to him that you are in Christ Jesus,
who became for us wisdom from God,
as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption,
so that, as it is written,
Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.
Not many of you were wise by human standards,
not many were powerful,
not many were of noble birth.
Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise,
and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong,
and God chose the lowly and despised of the world,
those who count for nothing,
to reduce to nothing those who are something,
so that no human being might boast before God.
It is due to him that you are in Christ Jesus,
who became for us wisdom from God,
as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption,
so that, as it is written,
Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.
The text above is not only for seminarians, as I mentioned in the beginning, God's call is for all. This message is for all. God has given each one of us His gifts and talents to continue His work of salvation for all people. So all of us should consider our own calling, be it a husband, wife, teacher, students, politician, doctor, public works, house-maker, laborer, driver, etc. Each of us are responsible according to the 'possessions entrusted' to us by the Lord. (Mt. 25:14-30). The Gospel today reminds us of our responsibilities of the 'talent' be it money or skills and abilities and the consequences if we fail in using all our gifts for God's glory.
Let us reflect further with the song 'Hall of Fame' by the Irish alternative rock band The Script featuring the rapper will.i.am. This is one of my many favorite motivational song that fits so well with today's readings.
Be
students
Be teachers
Be politicians
Be preachers
Be believers
Be leaders
Be astronauts
Be champions
Be true seekers
Be teachers
Be politicians
Be preachers
Be believers
Be leaders
Be astronauts
Be champions
Be true seekers
We pray that we will all be faithful to our calling and be good stewards to all the possessions that has been entrusted to us by the Lord. And our reward will be hearing our Lord saying this to us; "Well done, my good and faithful servant."
