Thursday May 11, 2023

When I was at the minor seminary in Zambia, there was a trick question which was posed to first year students. The more seasoned students with the help of the wonderful Jesuit priests would often ask “Did you hear God calling you to the priesthood?” Well, the first year students would go on and on about how they “heard” God or how this “voice” spoke to them in their dreams. Don’t get me wrong, God can certainly speak to people in that manner. Be careful though with people who hear voices. There is a pill for that.

So how does God speak? How did God’s voice come through during the first Apostolic Council of Jerusalem? The apostles battled ideas and decided it was not necessary for the Gentiles to keep all Jewish laws. The apostles put their heads, their experiences, their convictions aside and made the tough call. You know, being certain about anything or everything can be dangerous. There has to be room for uncertainty. It all worked out in the end for them. I pray today for all who have uncertainty, for all who are not 100% sure about anything. You are the holy courageous ones because sometimes you go with your gut.