'Here I am. Send me!'

		Living the Scriptures  with St. Paul University  Catholic Center  Keith Cronin

"Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?" asks the Lord. The prophet Isaiah replies, "Here I am. Send me!"

It is a simple request and a simple answer. The Lord needs a representative, someone to deliver a message to a lost nation, and Isaiah is the man for the job. And despite his incredible fear brought on by the vision he received, Isaiah confidently accepts his calling.

I have also heard the Lord asking that same question. It wasn't in a great vision, it wasn't even audible, but I could hear it, and on multiple occasions. I heard it when receiving an e-mail about a high school Confirmation retreat that needed volunteers to lead small groups, or when a request was made for musicians to lead worship at an evening of reflection and reconciliation.

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Feb. 8, 2004) Is 6:1-2a, 3-8 Ps 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-8 1 Cor 15:1-11     or 1 Cor 15:3-8, 11 Lk 5:1-11

These are small things; by no means are they life-long callings or vocations like the one Isaiah accepted. But they are important because they are requests to serve God and his people.

Sometimes I respond like Isaiah did, eager to serve and do my part to help - but not always. Sometimes I respond reluctantly instead of confidently, or out of obligation instead of excitement.

"I'd love to help with the retreat, but there's a big football game that weekend and I already have tickets." "Sure, I can lead worship that evening, but I don't have much time to prepare for it, so don't expect much."

The Lord says, "Whom shall I send?" I reply, "Somebody else."

I imagine this happens to you as well. You don't have to be incredibly active in your parish to hear about service opportunities. All you have to do is go to Mass and listen for the announcements, or look through your weekly bulletin when you return home.

And if you are active in your parish, you're likely bombarded with service opportunities. But how often do you respond when you hear or read about them? Of course, we shouldn't throw ourselves into everything that comes along, but are our excuses always valid?

Sometimes we say we don't have any spare time, but few people do - that's why our service is a sacrifice. Sometimes we say we're not interested in a particular area of service, but how do we really know unless we try it ? And sometimes we're just afraid - afraid that others will judge or mock us.

	Reflection questions • What opportunities for service are available in your parish? Is there something new you might add to the work you already are doing? • In the wider world -- how might you share your talents in response to God's call?

In this Sunday's Gospel reading, Jesus says we don't have to be afraid. His words were so convincing to Simon Peter, James, and John that they left everything to follow Jesus and devote their lives to serving God.

It is time for us to heed the calling of the Lord, to put off our excuses and demonstrate our faith. This week, if you hear God calling you, don't run away, just listen a little closer. Then respond as Isaiah did, eagerly and confidently: "Here I am. Send me!"

Keith Cronin, a senior civil engineering major at UW-Madison, leads the Alpha-Omega Worship Team, co-leads a small group Bible study, and is involved with Students Defending Life.

St. Paul's Web site is www.stpaulscc.org

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