Wake Up

God's call

There are truths we often need to be reminded of. Truths fundamental to our life, for this reminder  corrects and reorients our life. What is the purpose of my life? What is the mission the Lord has entrusted to me?  What is the call he has addressed to me? Because we often forget and neglect our vocation. It has  often happened to me that I decided to go somewhere to do or fetch something. Along the way, I realize  that I am heading in a different direction. So I return to my starting point. To the place where I was or to  what I was doing. The difficulties, problems and preoccupations of daily life often cause us to  forget God's call, which should nonetheless be the cornerstone of all our actions.

Our vocation

«I have chosen you» (Ex 3:10). “I have heard the cry of my people in their suffering and I am coming to deliver them. I  am sending you, go and save them». «I have chosen you as a prophet to the nations, so that my light may shine to the ends  of the earth» (Is 49:6). It is Jesus who is the way, who can help us to live our mission well. «Whoever  lives my word, I come to him and I dwell in him» (Jn 14:21-23). The prophet is the one who proclaims the  word of God and who helps others to do the will of God.

Responding to God's call

Have I often realized that I was not like everyone else? I am in the world, but I am not  of the world? Have I realized that I was set apart for God? One of the signs that authenticates the prophet is  that his life is a sign. His life bears witness to what he professes and proclaims. It is in harmony with the word. False  prophets proclaim one thing and live another. We must bear witness to  our faith: ‘you will be  my witnesses’ (Acts 1:8). Am I a true witness of the word of God and of the truths shared? Have I  communicated and shared the word of God? If so, did I communicate it fully, to the utmost  capacity that God expected of me? Have I been a complete witness to the truths shared and to the fruits of the Holy Spirit these past months?

Pope Paul VI says that for evangelization to be credible, the evangelizer must be a person who lives  the word of God. The Second Vatican Council also says that one of the signs of unbelief in God in the world  is that the evangelizer no longer lives what he preaches. So I risk becoming an obstacle to that very word of  God which I communicate to others.

The apostles, on whom Jesus counted so much during the passion, on the Mount of Olives, fled from him. They  denied him, as Peter did. Why? Perhaps also because at Gethsemane, while Jesus prayed, they slept.  «Could you not watch one hour with me»? At the moment of temptation and trial, they  gave in despite their resolutions. Peter had nonetheless said: «Even if all abandon you, I will never  abandon you».  Perhaps in your spiritual life right now: you are sleeping deeply, or else you are in a state of spiritual sleep or  drowsiness. We know that God has chosen us. We know that he calls us. We know that we must be  faithful. Yet, if it is true that we love God, we love him very weakly or without fidelity.  May we wake up and truly serve Jesus.

Henri Bayemi

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