A calling from birth

In today’s reflection on the daily mass readings, Fr Richard considers how each of us has a calling from God which was fixed at birth; it is up to us to discover what that is.

Readings for 29 December, fifth day in the octave of Christmas: 1 John 2.3-11; Psalm 95.1-3, 5-6; Luke 2.22-35. Text of readings can be found here.

One of the curious Christmas traditions in the UK is the sight of crowds of well-wishers gathering to watch the Royal Family walk to church at Sandringham on Christmas Day. The assembled masses offer gifts and flowers, and nowadays try to grab a selfie. This year the focus was very much on the three children of the Prince and Princess of Wales: George, Charlotte and Louis. Whatever your views of the monarchy, it is remarkable to think that these youngsters have had their destiny mapped out from the moment of their birth. Even if the monarchy does not survive into their adulthood, their celebrity status will be assured.

In today’s Gospel, the account of Jesus being presented in the Temple at 40 days old, his destiny is confirmed by the old man Simeon. Simeon’s prophecy contains information about Jesus’ future which is both positive and joyful, but also carries a darker tone. This child, he says, will be a light both for the pagans and Israel, but will be rejected such that a sword will pierce Mary’s soul. Simeon’s speech about Jesus’ calling comes on the back of what the angel said to Mary about her child at the Annunciation, and what the angel said to the shepherds at his birth.

Each of us has a destiny, a calling which has been fixed from our birth. As with Jesus, it may be a joyful calling, a challenging one, or a mixture. St John Henry Newman put it like this: “God has created me to do some definite service. He has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another. I have my mission”. As we approach the start of a new year, let us pray earnestly for insight into our own special calling from God, and the grace to fulfil it.

Mass today (Monday 29 December) is in St Dyfrig & St Samson at 6.30pm.

If you’d like more resources for daily prayer then check out our Day by Day pages.