Credit Where Credit is Due

Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator

If one stops to consider the accomplishments of St. Paul throughout his lifetime, one cannot help but be impressed. The Christian Scriptures record at least three missionary journeys made throughout the then known world of the Middle East, the establishment of many different local communities, and a steadfast witness through his preaching of the Gospel and his faith in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. His accomplishments as a scholar are evident in his writings. No one can gainsay this man's zeal.

Yet as we begin to read his first letter to Timothy, we hear St. Paul at his best as he give credit for all his accomplishments to the God he serves. He does not hesitate to speak of his faults and his sins. He calls himself an arrogant blasphemer, a sinner. He addresses his personal faults and gives credit for his conversion to a merciful God. It is this quality that I find even more astonishing than his accomplishments. One could hardly blame him for taking some credit for all that he did, yet his writings confirm the notion that St. Paul never did take credit for any of it. He knew that God's choice with regard to his vocation was none of his doing.

I often find myself pondering my own vocation in much the same way. In the Gospel of St. John, Jesus tells his disciples that they did not choose him. Rather he chose them. Any disciple of Jesus who is worth his or her salt will recognize the truth of this statement. It applies to all of us no matter what vocation we chose in life. It applies to the married person as much as it does to those who find themselves under vows or as ordained clergy. God is the one who steers our lives. A gracious and thankful response is all we can do.