The grace to respond to God’s call

How do we respond to the invitation of the Lord to “Pray to the owner of the harvest that he will send out workers to gather in his harvest (Mt 9:37-38)”?

Dear KNOT,

My recent experience is a food for thought.

As I was leaving the venue for the interview, the bad impression was building up inside me. It was the kind of thing that the evil one would gloat gleefully anticipating the possibility of being “glorified”. There was its suggestion, a sweeping one to include others, trying to stoke fire on my frustration and disappointment. It was enough discouragement for the chicken-hearted.

For the second time, I failed to meet my interviewee. But she was not the first.

Last Friday, I called up different prospects with difficulty. Either no one was home to take the call or the lines were not working. Another declined because of busy schedule to give a personal interview and will try to write the article instead. Finally, I was able to get a confirmation from another for the next day at 10 o ‘clock in the morning.

I woke up early. My body wanted more sleep but I had to get up as I do not want to go to the mission without a weapon: prayers. When I checked my cell phone later for messages, one prompted my attention: a family emergency that I had to coordinate before leaving for my appointment.

It was 9:33 when I next checked the time and I was still securing the things I had to bring. I rushed out but only to return home because I left the paper that contained the details. Unfortunately, I could not find it among my things. I thought I had already secured it before leaving the office the night before. This is not new. Something always happens to deter me.

I decided to pass by the office to call my interviewee. On my way there, I pondered on what was happening. There is a similarity to the previous incident and I wonder what this one means.

I found out that my interviewee was out attending a seminar and will go directly to her next appointment. She forgot about our interview! I requested that she be informed about my call and that I will come at the same hour on Monday.

The interview was not possible for she is now out of town. And the one who received me refused to be interviewed. She could talk about who they are readily but not her vocation story for reason that it will require some time in the telling for it happened long ago. I tried to coax her saying that besides free of charge it affords the community free promotion and I could also write it but to no avail.

I had to respect her choice. Some people may jump at the opportunity easily and readily. Others would need time. Maybe she had tasks that were more important.

I left in frustration. The sun’s heat conspired mercilessly against me trying to build a fire. But my awareness that I did not say yes to just anybody but God I continued on my way to the office where I volunteer my time and my talent. Whatever was spent last Saturday or this morning is never lost! God is taking note of them.

“The harvest is large, but there are few workers to gather it in. Pray to the owner of the harvest that he will send out workers to gather in his harvest (Mt 9:37-38).”

What we do with love and passion for the Lord is what the Lord has called us to do. That is the gift the Lord has given us. We call that vocation. What a grace to be able to give it priority over our own need and to respond with mindfulness. – Nena Quijano

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Thank you Nena. Email us your inspiring stories at desk@davaocatholicherald.com. ‘Til next kwentuhan higala! – Cheng Vilog