The Apostles (Illustrated Edition) by Benedict XVI

I heard a story that when it was becoming apparent he was going to be the next pope, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger silently prayed, “Oh God, please don’t do this to me….”  He had wanted to retire quietly and devote the remainder of his days writing books–but, His will be done.

“If you want to make God laugh,” so says the popular quip, “tell Him your plans.”

We hear this all the time when talking about vocations.  It is not something we choose for ourselves–rather, it is God calling us.  And, we can figure out what it is He wants from us by spending lots of time alone, in silence, in prayer. 

In today’s Gospel reading (Luke 6:12-19), Jesus spent an entire night alone in the mountain praying.  When He came down in the morning, He chose the Twelve whom He called His Apostles.  Those twelve men did not apply for that position, they did not step forward to volunteer, they did not pass a test or beat out others in a competition–they were individually called.

I know of very devout men who applied for the seminary and were rejected–they need to trust in God that the priesthood is not their calling.  Similarly, I know of men who were literally plucked by God from their worldly, hedonistic lifestyles to become His holiest priests.  God does not call the equipped–He equips the called.

So if you’ve got an inkling that God wants you to do something for Him, don’t worry and answer it!  He will make sure you have what it takes to fulfill the task, and, trust that the path He was chosen for you is the one you will be the happiest.

Learn more about the Twelve in Pope Benedict XVI’s The Apostles, Illustrated Edition.