Fifth Sunday (C) February 7, 2010
About 48 years ago, Fr William Price, then Headmaster, was preaching a sermon on the story of the ten lepers. If you recall, ten lepers asked to be made clean, and Jesus sends them off to the priests. On the way they are cleansed, and one returns to thank him. Rather strangely, Fr William's sermon was about Vocations. I remember almost nothing of its substance, except the last line, which were the words of Jesus to the leper who returned: 'And where are the other nine?' Something must have touched me somewhere in that sermon – because I remember that occasion all these years later, and some 4 or 5 years after that, I joined the monastery.
Today, we have heard two stories of Vocation or Calling, firstly of the prophet Isaiah, and then of Peter and some of the early disciples. Both Isaiah and the fishermen had had an experience of God, which struck them forcibly. In Isaiah's case, he can only describe it in rather apocalyptic terms – thrones, Kings, flying Seraphs, fire and smoke and burning coals. For Peter and the other fishermen, it was a gigantic and unexpected catch of fish. The reaction of Isaiah, and of Peter on behalf of the others, was awareness of their uncleanness. And maybe it is this element which links these stories to the story of the ten lepers, and Fr William's sermon. The odd thing is, that Yahweh Sabaoth and Jesus, are not too impressed with this excuse of uncleanness. When Isaiah declares himself a person of unclean lips, living among a people of unclean lips, a seraph comes forward with a live coal to cleanse Isaiah. And when Peter declares that he is a sinful man and Jesus should leave him, he and his companions are told, that it is not just fish they will catch, but they will catch people when they fish for Jesus. Yahweh and Jesus have invited Isaiah and Peter – with a purpose in mind. It reminds me of the passage in St John, when Jesus says to his disciples – you did not choose me, no, I chose you.
I think, looking back, that I have spent an awful lot of my monastic life, wondering why God chose me to be a monk. And in that mode of thinking, I would have described myself as a 'reluctant monk' – reluctant to believe in his choice. I am no less wondering even now. But the difference is that I realise I am wrong to be wondering and even more wrong to be reluctant. God knows why he chooses us for a particular way of life. He knows our weaknesses, and our uncleanness. He also knows our potential, and the gifts that he has given us. He knew Isaiah and he knew Peter and he knows me and he knows each one of you.. In the reading we didn't have today, God knew Paul, who says to the Corinthians ' I am the least of the apostles; in fact, since I persecuted the Church of God, I hardly deserve the name apostle; but by God's grace that is what I am'. Are we not presumptuous to question God's wisdom and his choices?
what can I say to you; young people, with your whole lives in front of you? I would encourage you to Listen. And if, even in the strangest circumstances, you hear a call from God, or have a strong experience of his presence – as Isaiah and Peter and Paul did,- then respond generously. Be prepared to leave everything, and follow him.
Fr Christopher Gorst OSB