When we trace God’s call throughout the
Scriptures, we see that “God doesn’t call
the qualified; God qualifies the called.”
At the same time, God doesn’t leave us at the altar feeling inadequate,
but lifts us up far beyond our human expectations. “The issue is never, ‘Are you
qualified?’ The issues is always, ‘Are
you called?” Lent provides an
opportunity for us to reflect on our call and to recommit ourselves to the
journey. (Quotes
from The Circle Maker, Mark
Batterson) In this regard, I have found the prayer of
Archbishop Oscar Romero helpful.
It helps, now and
then, to step back, and take the long view.
The Kingdom of Heaven
is not only beyond our efforts, it is
even beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our
lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work.
Nothing we do is
complete, which is another way of saying that the Kingdom always lies beyond
us.
No statement says all
that could be said. No prayer fully
expresses our faith.
No confession brings
perfection. No pastoral visit brings
wholeness.
No program
accomplishes the Church’s mission. No
set of goals and objectives includes everything. This is what we are about.
We will plant the
seeds that one day will grow, We water
seeds already planted.
knowing that they
hold future promise.
We lay foundations
that will need further development.
We provide yeast that
produces effects far beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do
everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.
This enables us to do
something, and to do it very well.
It may be incomplete,
but everything is a beginning, a step along the way,
an opportunity for
the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the
end results,
But that is the
difference between the master builder and the worker.
We are the workers,
not master builders, ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a
future of our own.
May that future be
filled with grace, peace, and hope. In Jesus Name. Amen.
