God’s Call

A Reflection on the Second Reading for Sunday, July 28, 2024:
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Ephesians
​4.1-6

Brothers and sisters: I, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

Pause. Pray. Reflect.

​A few weekends ago, I was facing this personal confusion as to what God is calling me to (in more than one area of life). I know that I want to do God’s will. But at this stage in my life, what IS God’s will for my life? What vocation is He calling me to? What profession is He calling me to? Or am I already doing the work and living the life that God has called me to? Well, you get the idea – I’ve been experiencing a bout of overthinking and have been endeavouring to discern God’s voice amidst my personal chaos. 

As I pondered over these musings, I recalled something my spiritual director said a few weeks ago. He said that “we have a beautiful faith and a beautiful tradition in the form of Holy Mother Church.” Like a mother who journeys with her children, the Church, in the form of the sacraments and the community around us, journeys with us. This faith family brings to our attention our strengths and weaknesses and helps us discern what we are being called to. So, we do not have to try to figure everything out on our own. I witnessed the power of worshipping as a community during the Steubenville Atlantic 2024 conference. Although I was there only for a few hours, as a volunteer, I had a profound experience during Adoration on Saturday night. I heard God tell me not to be afraid and to be open to what He is going to bring my way.

Like Saint Paul exhorts in this week’s second reading, “lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness.” If I aspire to stay grounded and humble, God will make His will for my life evident in the due course of time. And for now, all I need to do is keep trusting in Him like the Blessed Virgin Mary did amidst an unexpected pregnancy, an exile into Egypt, and after losing her only son when he was only twelve years old. After my recent Consecration to Mary in May of this year, I have been relying on Mama Mary heavily to get me through some confusing times. 

In my life, Mother Mary’s presence is most tangible when I am at my parish of Saint Mary’s Cathedral Basilica. Not only are there magnificent images of Mama Mary all over the Basilica, but right at the entrance of our cathedral (one of the most beautiful buildings in the world, in my opinion), are the words “One Lord,” “One Faith,” “One Baptism,” which signify that my faith family – which believes in the same Lord, and has the same faith tradition, and is united through our common baptism – is part of my calling. 

And maybe, right now, all I’m called to do is journey with my faith community and fulfill my calling as a member of this community by doing what I do and showing up to what I’m expected to. God will speak to me and let me know the plans He has for me. All I need to do is trust in Him, like Mother Mary did. He did not disappoint her, and he will not disappoint me. 

Heavenly Father, I trust Your plan for my life even when I cannot see what You see. I know that you have placed me exactly where You want me to be, and I am open to all You have in store for me. Mother Mary, keep interceding for me to do what Your Son tells me to do. Amen. 




Rebecca D'mello​

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