Challenge Your Limits
As a young boy I have always been in awe of the prophets of the Scriptures. I marvel at their wisdom, courage and perseverance. They seemed surreal, almost superhuman. As an adult reading about their vocation stories, I begin to see that they are as human as the man on the street. This makes me admire them all the more — what with the physical, psychological, social and even spiritual adversities they have to overcome in order to fulfill their vocation to prophesy.
Today in the First Reading, we hear of the vocation story of Amos. Amos was a Judean herdsman whom God called to preach against the evil of the north country of Israel. He was known to be one of the most passionate prophets of the Old Testament.
Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, told Amos, “Get out, you seer! Go back to the land of Judah. Earn your bread there and do your prophesying there.” Surprised, Amos protested, “I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees.” God, through the priest Amaziah, was calling Amos to something beyond his comfort zone. Amos felt uneasy and reasoned that he cannot do anything but be a dresser of sycamore trees. But God saw great potential in Amos. Amos submitted himself and he came to be known as one of the most passionate prophets of the Old Testament.
I remember reading this wise advice: “Do not limit your challenges; challenge your limits.” Amos felt limited by the challenge to be a prophet. “I am not a prophet. I am just a dresser of sycamore trees.” God wanted Amos to challenge his limitations and free himself from the chains of his self-inflicted weakness. Amos trusted God. And the rest as we know is history. Fr. Joel Jason
REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Are you most often limited by challenges that come your way? Or do you challenge your limits?
Lord Jesus, You are the potter, I am the clay. Mold me, shape me, break me. Bring me beyond the limits to the fullness of my potentials. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment