I used to think that the story concerning Jesus’ call of the first four disciples by the Sea of Galilee (Mark 1:14-20, Luke 5:1-11, Matthew 4:18-22) is a narrative composed intentionally for those who would love to serve the church through the role of the ordained minister, particularly, the missionary priests.
Why the ordained ministers and the missionary priests? I guess perhaps because the first four disciples responded to Jesus’ invitation through the immediate act of leaving their fishing boats and also “everything” behind for the new journey with Jesus (Luke 5:11). And also because of Jesus’ famous saying, “…from now on, you will be catching people” (v.10). And who else but the missionary priests, who are willing to leave their beloved families and unique cultures, distinctive diets, familiar languages for missionary assignments in the foreign countries?
Nevertheless, the more I immerse myself in the Bible studies, the more I discover that Jesus’ call by the Sea of Galilee on that day is not an exclusive call to the ordained ministers and the missionary priests only, but rather to all. This call is actually an inclusive call, the call from heaven to all humanity regardless their religion, gender, and vocation call.
God calls a Buddhist to live a good Buddhist life by putting into practice the Eight Virtues, to name one of the eight: to have the Right Conduct: “You shall not kill, steal, and abuse your neighbors physically or sexually.”
God calls a couple to be the faithful and loving husband and wife, who commit to live their marriage vows everyday for the rest of their lives.
God calls the religious to be faithful wholeheartedly to their religious vows, the vows of chastity, obedience, and poverty.
God calls Peter to lower the nets for a catch, and the fisherman humbly responds, “All night long we caught nothing, but if you say so, I will pay out the nets” (v.5).
God calls Mary Magdalene by His Son’s tomb on that Easter morning to be the first witness of the Resurrection. And she leaves the empty tomb behind to be the first preacher of the Good News by telling all whom she encounters, “I have met the risen Lord” (John 20:11-18).
God calls the dead man, “Lazarus, come out” (John 11:43). And the dead man who is buried in the tomb for four days stands up, slowly walking out of the realm of the dead.
God calls the chief of tax collectors who is short in stature in the sycamore tree, waiting for a moment of grace, "Zacchaeus! Come down! I must be in your home today" (Luke 19:1-10). And the man at once jumps down. Unexpectedly, in public, the famous sinner of Jericho humbly asks for pardons from all whom he has done any damages to...
God calls us every day through every single event that we unexpectedly encounter.
One night while having a nightly mundane stroll on Todd Mall in Alice Springs, I encountered an artist who was holding in her hands an Indigenous canvas. By the way she was staggering on the road, a wobble in her heels, I could tell she was not in her normal mood anymore. Having spotted me on Todd Mall, the artist stopped right in front of me to show me her beautiful piece of art while offering a price, “Young man, forty dollars.” “Forty dollars for a beautiful Indigenous painting,” I thought, “I would go for it.” But I knew I had only a 10 dollar note in my pocket. So, I decided not to take the offer. I politely said, “Thank you,” and resumed my walking on Todd Mall. However, the artist did not give up her bargain. She followed me. And this time unexpectedly she lowered the price, “Young man, ten dollars,” while again showing me the painting. “Ten dollars? You’re serious,” I said while smiling, half joking half serious. Given the situation, being on Todd Mall at night and encountering an artist in her high spirited mode, I however decided not to do any business with her at the moment. So, again I resumed my normal steps. However, the lady did not give up. This time she showed me the canvas while offering the final price, “Young man, 4 dollars.” “Really!” I immediately stopped walking, “Four dollars!” I could hear my heart beating. “Four dollars for this exotic painting… Why not!” I almost wanted to take the 10 dollar note from my pocket, give it to the artist, and joyfully exclaim: “Give me the canvas. You can keep the change.”
But, God called me through the voice of conscience, “No! You cannot do it … And you’d better not.” My hand was still in my pocket while God kept repeating the same words, “Michael! No…” I could feel the nervousness that rushed out in a palpable wave through my hands. And, thanks to the call from heaven, I eventually decided to walk away from an unexpected deal.
Yes, undoubtedly God calls us every day through every single event that we unexpectedly encounter. It’s up to us if we are attentive to the call and willing to respond to the voice from heaven.