MANY times in the middle of the night I wonder how I’m able to fulfill my responsibilities as pastor of an inner-city and multicultural church that has a great deal of pastoral and financial challenges. I’m amazed at my ability to overcome the hardship of serving people, of paying bills, of keeping ministries open, and, indeed, of making the parish alive. I can only think of one reason: it’s all God’ workings! He’s the one who gives me all the abilities and the graces I need to lead a church and to keep following Him.
Absolutely, in leaving one’s nets of insecurities and plunging into the uncertainties of one’s calling, one should never waiver in faith that God guides, provides, and strengthen those who heed to his call. This was true in the Gospel this Sunday for Simon, Andrew, James, and John. They abandoned their fishing nets, left the comfort of their villages and homes to follow Jesus. Certainly, along the way of discipleship, they encountered obstacles and experienced failures, fears, and disappointments. But they trusted in the One who called them and endowed them with gifts for the ministry.
If there is one gift from God that drives us to help build His Kingdom on earth, it is zeal for ministry. Without it we’d be discouraged; we’d be wandering or settling in mediocrity. We must have this gift to succeed in our endeavors. And if there is one skill that God provides us, it is the ability to bring others into the ministry to seek their help and moral support; to share their talents and other resources; and to find encouragement and wisdom in their friendship. As we often hear from the wise and learned, we cannot be lone rangers in the ministry of Jesus. In fact, Jesus never intended this to happen in our lives.
The grace to listen and to be open to the opinions of others is what we need to ask from God as we fulfill our roles and missions in life. We must have the ability to listen even to the suggestions of young people and of those who are less experienced in leadership. Oftentimes, the fall of a leader is his or her unwillingness to take into consideration the ideas and needs of those he or she leads. I realized this a few days ago as I watched, The Iron Lady, a movie that portrays the life and leadership of Margaret Thatcher, the first female Prime Minister of England. No matter how intelligent and driven a leader is, he or she must have an open mind and heart, and humility to listen to others.
Abandoning one’s net of insecurities, doubts, and fears is a non-negotiable act or attitude in order to succeed in one’s vocation. It’s one thing to hear God’s call; it’s another thing to follow and sustain that call. Believing in God who arms us with necessary gifts or abilities is another conviction that would impassion us for ministry. May God grant us faith, humility, and courage to hear God’s voice and follow His will! Amen.
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Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas attended St. John Seminary in Camarillo, California and earned his Doctor of Ministry in Preaching from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, Missouri. For twenty years, he has been in the parish ministry of large multi-cultural communities. Since 2002, he has been the pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Los Angeles. Please email Fr. Rodel at [email protected].
