Two ordinary men. One a fisherman. The other a Pharisee and a tentmaker. Two ordinary men who recognized that God had called them to be something greater than they thought themselves to be. Two ordinary men who had courage to speak the truth that was spoken to them through Christ. They endured many hardships and trials for their words and actions and yet they kept on believing in the truth that dwelt in their hearts. How could ordinary men come to do extraordinary things?
“The angel said to Peter, “Put on your belt and your sandals.” He did so. Then he said to him, “Put on your cloak and follow me.” (Acts 12:8)
Even in prison Saint Peter didn’t give up hope in Jesus Christ. He listened and followed the angel out of the prison. The angel had to wake him up! If Saint Peter was asleep, he certainly wasn’t afraid of the trial that was to take place the next day. The passion that he felt in his heart, about who he had spent three years following and all that he’d seen Jesus Christ do for others, must have been a source of his hope and courage. He was open to the possibility that Jesus was the Messiah and confirmed it when Jesus asked him “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16: 15-16)
“I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.” (2Timothy 4:7)
Saint Paul was also in prison and didn’t fear death. He knew that he had completed what Christ had called him to do for the proclamation of the Kingdom. An ordinary man who was passionate about his faith to the point of persecuting the first Christians. Then Jesus caught his attention with a flash of light and a bit of a humbling fall to the ground on the road to Damascus (Acts 9: 1-19). A “snap out of it” moment. The very epitome of a ‘Come to Jesus Meeting’. He would carry the message of Christ to the Gentiles beyond Jerusalem to the end of the known world: at that time, the Roman world. Again, his passion came from the truth that dwelt in his heart and he wasn’t afraid to recognize it and act upon it.
Each of us are called to become something greater than what we think we are. Even me, an ‘ordinary’ man who believes that his faith is a gift.
Most of us become aware only gradually of this gift. In our youth we might worship and pray with our family as a custom, as part of our culture. Our relationship with God can grow as we mature and open our hearts to His presence. For some people, this choice to open themselves to God never happens. For many of us, we wax and wane at times, letting other things take priority in our lives. Months and years can go by without our relationship with Christ growing. In fact, I rarely think of St. Paul without remembering one particular “Road to Damascus” event in my own life.
When I was a teenager and questioning the existence of God (as I’m sure most teenagers do), I had a lot of nightmares wherein I was falling from great heights. Sometimes I jumped, other times I was pushed. Just before hitting the ground and certain death, I would wake up in a cold sweat from the nightmare I imagined death would be. The same dream came often. I was spending a lot of time worrying about death. One night, again I started the fall. But this time, an angel appeared next to me and asked why I was afraid. I told him I was afraid to die. My angel said, “Recite the Our Father with me.” As we prayed the Our Father together, I remember thinking that I wouldn’t have time to finish before hitting the ground. But I didn’t need to worry. Just as I said “Amen” my angel lifted me up and we began to soar. That’s when I woke up and instead of being afraid, I was sad the dream had to end. It was such a revelation! Now, 50 years ‘wiser’, I absolutely believe that God was letting me know two things: First, that in the dreams that I ‘jumped’ off the cliff, it was because I was doubting His saving power; when I was ‘pushed’, it was my sins that were pushing me to doubt and despair. Second, He was confirming to me that He is alive and well and waiting for me—I just have to remember that I have been given the gift of faith, and that I must act on it.
These present times are certainly calling us to become something greater than what we are today. The Covid-19 virus and now protests and riots and race conversations have stirred much within my own soul. I’m being reminded once again that, just like in that dream so many years ago, the strength to persevere through these present events can only occur through faith, prayer, hope, and trust in Christ.
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