The Call to Discipleship and Beyond

Today’s gospel makes me uncomfortable. First Jesus critiques men “who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues (churches), and places of honor at banquets” (Mark 12: 38-39). Been there. Done that. Then He praises a poor widow who gave to the temple treasury “all she had, her whole livelihood” (Mark 12: 44). Never been there. Never done that. Ouch!

Sometimes I fall so short of the call to Christian discipleship. I may look holy on the outside, but Jesus knows my heart. He does not critique people for their attire or places of honor, but rather because they “like to go around” that way as a substitute for true sanctity. As Sebastian White says, “These men enjoy all the trappings of sanctity—the attire and titles—but their hearts remain unconverted. The issue is the disparity between who they claim to be and who they really are.” (Magnificat, November, p. 131).  

Sometimes my outward appearance is not congruent with my inner truth, and that’s uncomfortable. Do you ever feel that way? If so, how do you deal with it? Sebastian White asks: “When we feel the weight of our weakness and imperfection, do we turn to Jesus and ask to be made whole, or do we put on a show to save face?” Today’s gospel is an invitation to wholeness, to let the external signs of our religion help us become more holy and loving on the inside.

The poor widow in the temple expresses this wholeness from the inside out. Unlike the scribes, her external behavior was not impressive: she donated two small coins. But in her heart she was giving magnanimously: “from her poverty… her whole livelihood.” This seems so extreme, even foolish! As a diocesan priest, I do not take the vow of poverty. The parish pays me a salary and I give back a tithe, but not my whole livelihood! Those who join religious communities give “everything” to their community and share all things in common. That’s the vow of poverty. 

But all of us Christians are called to a certain poverty of spirit. What does that mean? We give our lives to God in whatever way God has called us to be. As parents or children, as friends or family, married or single, etc. God calls us all to a unique vocation (from the Latin word vocare which means “to call”). We do our best to respond to God’s call, and we trust God to provide us with the grace to do so. Our poverty of spirit means that we know we need God’s grace, that we are dependent upon God for everything. Since we have received everything from God, we respond to His call to give ourselves back in an act of Stewardship.   
This weekend we observe Stewardship of Vocations. While everyone has a unique vocation, we are focusing particularly on vocations to the priesthood, the diaconate and religious life. And we are asking all our parishioners to help nurture these vocations from our parish. To do so, please take a few moments to prayerfully consider if you know anyone whom God may be calling to be a priest, deacon or member of a religious community. If someone comes to mind, get their name and some contact information. This weekend in the church there will be cards in the pews on which you can write their name and contact information. Then place the card in the offertory basket and we will collect them. One of our clergy or parish team members will contact them to let them know that a parishioner thinks they may have a calling to a religious vocation. With your help we will plant the seed and let God take it from there. We will not tell them who nominated them so you can remain anonymous. 

God is using our parish to call many to discipleship and beyond. Thanks for your role in helping them hear the call.