Divine choice

This call is a hidden treasure that not everyone discovers. It is discovered only by those whom God truly chooses: Everyone to whom much was given, of him will much be required (Luke 12:48). When you experience this divine grace, do not forget the parable of the hidden treasure: quem qui invenit homo, abscondit, et prae gaudio illius vadit, et vendit universa quae habet, et emit agrum illum (Matt 13:44); which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. It is so human and so supernatural to hide God’s favours!

Examples from the Gospel

Look at how our Lord seeks out those he wants to follow him. He calls Peter and his brother Andrew, who were fishermen, when they were casting their nets into the sea. Listen to what he tells them: Venite post me, et faciam vos fieri piscatores hominum (Matt 4:19-20); come with me, and I will make you fishers of men. And Peter and Andrew, continuo, immediately, leaving everything behind, followed him.

There is another man who has not been called, as St Matthew tells us (chapter eight, verses 19 and 20): Magister, Teacher, he says, sequar te quocumque ieris; I will follow you wherever you go. And Jesus said to him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head. We should not be afraid, my daughters and sons, when we face dangers, difficult situations or setbacks in the service of God.

One of his disciples asks him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” But he said to him: “Leave the dead to bury their own dead” (Matt 8:21-22). And to him who had said: “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home,” Jesus answered: “No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:61-62).