They Left Everything and Followed Him.
Dear Parishioners,
When I think of God’s holiness and the invitation for us to be holy, I am often puzzled and at a loss for words. It seems to be too large for us to grasp. However, Jesus renews the call to seek him in holiness. Sometimes, I feel numbed by my broken promises and frequent falls. I wonder if I can ever achieve holiness. As I reflect on today’s scriptures, the three illustrious Bible figures, Isaiah, Paul and Peter, and their distinctive encounter with the Lord, encourages me. I can see that it is God who makes us holy. It all starts with a simple invitation-God makes the first move. He never ceases to invite us to participate in his divine life.
The call of the prophet Isaiah came with an astonishing vision of God’s glory. He was overwhelmed by the power and purity of God. He cried out, “Woe to me, I am doomed! For I am a man of unclean lips…” Saint Paul recalled how he persecuted the church. By the grace of the Lord he became an apostle, teaching and defending the faith that he tried to destroy. “I am the least of the apostles, not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” Everything changed for Paul when the vision of the risen Christ spoke to him. As for Peter and his companions, their fishing job came to a sudden end, having labored all night without success. They came face-to-face with the Lord of creation, who ordered them to lower their nets, helping them to take in a marvelous catch of fish.
These encounters lead us to see how the Lord reveals himself to us. Each one of us will find him radically different, yet very close. He shows himself as the Lord and Master. The radiance of his holiness makes us see ourselves as we truly are. We feel unworthy, ashamed and humiliated, and sometimes we want to hide or we want him to go away. Peter exclaims: “Leave me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” God made us for greater things; most of all, he made us to enjoy his glory. How often have we chosen to turn our backs on him? Jesus came to expose us to that dignity that God endowed us with before the fall of Adam and Eve.
God never ceases to give us the support we need. Isaiah, who feels that his lips are impure, is purified with an ember. Paul, overwhelmed by his past, received the Lord’s grace that cleansed him and made him an apostle. And Peter, the helpless fisherman, was reassured, comforted and commissioned to a new line of duty: fisher of men! Each of one them finds that he is accepted and recreated at the very point where he felt discouraged. That is the power of God. He is not ashamed of our weakness; he comes right into it to transform it.
It is true that failures, sinfulness or inadequacies are not enough to stop God’s transforming power. Our Lord Jesus came to help us understand and accept this truth. Our success depends on our relationship with the Lord. The Lord wants to intervene and rehabilitate you.
Are you struggling with guilt, shame, sin, addiction, pain or pride? The Lord will remove obstacles in your life. He will transform your shame to confidence. Isaiah, Paul and Peter experienced the living presence of the Lord - they entrusted themselves to the Lord and allowed him to take charge of their lives. I am no longer afraid to be holy. I have come to believe that he will purify me with the ember and with his abundant grace, like Peter and his companions, who left everything and followed him.
What about you? What are you willing to let go? Would you go with the Lord? He is calling. He stands not at the seashore, but rather in your heart and through the sacraments begs you to draw nearer. Fear is useless; come, and do not be afraid. You will not lose anything; instead, he will enrich you. Isaiah, Paul and Peter are proof of this.
Grace and Peace To You ,
Fr. Vitalis Anyanike, Pastor
