What's Next?

Every now and then we realize that we’re at a crucial decision point in our lives.

As we look back over the Gospel readings of the past few days,

We see that Jesus was heading toward one of those decision points.

His followers were increasing in great number.

The Pharisees and Scribes and Herodians were increasingly critical and confrontational.

They were actually beginning to plot against him.

If the full details of his mission weren’t already clear to him they were becoming clear.

He could see that he wasn’t going to be able to fit into the established structures.

He had to decide where to go from there.

So Jesus withdrew to a mountain, alone, to pray.

And not just for a spiritual recharge—an hour of quiet prayer and reflection.

He had to fully assess the situation.

Make some calculations like a man building a tower or a general going into battle.

And decide how he would proceed.

He must have had a lot to consider.

A lot to discuss with the Father.

Things even more important than which twelve disciples to choose as apostles.

Perhaps he received new revelations about the Father’s plan.

Gory details about his mission and what he was being called to do.

Perhaps he had to make a new commitment to that mission.

He spent the entire night in prayer.

In conversation with the Father.

And in the morning he took clear steps to push forward with his mission.

We all have our callings.

But even after we’ve set out on our path, we still have to find our way through life.

It’s a never-ending journey, until life itself ends.

God has a plan for each of us, and if we can tune into that plan—Plan-A—life is simpler.

If we miss our true calling, life can be more of a struggle.

But God is persistent; he hangs in there with us and gives us new callings.

Some say God is the Master of Plan-B.

Life is always changing, and it’s important to step back and reassess from time-to-time.

Even if we don’t recognize that we’re at a crucial decision point.

Even if we think we’re generally on track with Plan-A.

It might be time for some fine-tuning, a little tweak.

Or it might be time for a more radical change.

We don’t often face decisions that require us to spend our entire night in prayer.

But we do need to listen always—attentively: What is the Spirit calling me to do now?

Whether we’re called to great tasks or small.

Whether we’re called to be apostles or little-known disciples.

Our ultimate response to our calling is crucial to us, and even to the world.

Tuesday, 23rd Week in Ordinary Time

Lk 6:12-19           Read this Scripture @usccb.org