The images of reverence, humility, and service expressed in the readings for this weekend come as compelling reminders to us of our “calling” to live for God as Christian disciples. All three readings share this common thread of God being visible to ordinary folks like you and me, not only in extraordinary times but also in our simple experiences. In the first reading, Isaiah experiences a vision in what would mark the beginning of his calling as a prophet. Paul, in the second reading, describes his road-to-Damascus experience as revelation of Jesus to him, just as Peter and the other disciples have experienced him. Then the gospel repeats for us the unparalleled, swift response the first four disciples gave to Jesus after their experience with him; “they left everything and followed him,” (Luke 5:11). Now let’s not be caught up in the stories’ details; instead, let’s gather some of the lessons that are essential for our learning as disciples. Reverence:In what looks like a worship scene in the temple, we notice how these spiritual beings were glowing with fervid love in their reverence to God. They stand in their stations and cry out, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts! All the earth is filled with His glory!” Isaiah tells us how he hid his face and exclaimed at the sight of God, “Woe is me; I am doomed! For I am a man of unclean lips, living among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” So, we learn that we should not be cold in our religion. Today, there is a temptation to weaken the sense of God’s holiness around us through lack of reverence in our worship and actions. We all fall into the temptation of carelessness and shallowness of worship that divest the majesty and splendor of God and His holy place unless we take a constant cue from the first reading. Humility: The virtue of humility stands right before our eyes in the readings. The words and actions of Isaiah, Paul, and the four disciples not only express emptiness before God. It also strongly suggests how we become aware of our own unworthiness the nearer we get to God. God is a Father who opens His arms to all. Yet, the closer we get to Him, the awareness of his awesomeness helps us to sincerely notice our limitations and unworthiness so that we can be rid of any conceit and humble ourselves in gratitude, always and everywhere. As one bible commentary concludes, “Get God into your lives … and you will cry, ‘Lord! not my feet only, but my hands and my head!’” Service: When Jesus indicated to the disciples that they would be catching men, they understood it as a call to service. Isaiah did the same when he heard the voice of God, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” And he responded, “Here I am,” I said, “send me!” All of us are called to serve, and the service we render should suggest that we are glowing with fervor. As Christians, we have an even a loftier motive for serving, for Christ has served and redeemed us by His own blood, and He asks us to love and serve not only the Trinity, but also others as He has done.