7 July, Friday — Letting go and letting God lead

Friday of Week 13 in Ordinary Time

Gn 23:1-4,19;24:1-8,62-67
Mt 9:9-13

…he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him.

In today’s Gospel passage, Matthew the tax collector was at work, sitting at the customs house, when Jesus walked by and said to him, “Follow me”. And he got up and followed him.

I have always wondered about this encounter. Was there a conversation that took place between them? One that was not recorded, before Matthew got up to follow him? Surely if a stranger speaks to you, the most natural response even in Jesus’ time would be to ask, “Who are you?”

Furthermore, tax collectors in those days were hired by the Romans to collect taxes on their behalf.Matthew had work to do, and he was, in some sense, answerable to a boss. What prompted Matthew to just get up and leave work suddenly, without thinking about the consequences of his actions? Did Matthew already know who Jesus was when he walked by, hence his spontaneous reaction?

I have always said that if I knew it was Jesus speaking, I would do whatever he tells me. But how can I be certain it is His voice I am hearing and not my own, making decisions based on my own intellect and will?

During my recent Camino de Santiago, what struck me was how many directional signposts (in the form of yellow arrows) there were on the way, pointing the (right) path to Santiago de Compostela. Although the arrows were not of standard size and could be painted on anything along the way (lamp posts, pavements, walls or rocks), once you learn to recognise and follow them, you were headed in the right direction. There were also signs, marked with ‘X’ to show where not to go, to avoid going the wrong direction.

If only the Camino of life, the path that the Lord has set for me to follow, is so clearly marked.

Lately, I have been struggling with following him. To let go and let God (lead).

At the time of this reflection, it has been exactly 2 weeks since I was informed by my boss that I no longer have a role in his department in the latest reorganisation. I was told to actively pursue internal opportunities in other departments if available. Although he did not set a hard date for me to leave, it would be within these couple of months.

My head has gone into overdrive since. The reality is, at my level and age, there are very few internal roles available to, or suitable for me. I don’t know where to go, nor what to do. Should I hasten my steps and rush into the first job I come across? Or take the time to carefully reflect on my next course of action? If only there are yellow arrows pointing to the right way, or better still, have Jesus walk by and say “follow me”. And if he does, will I be like Matthew? Will I immediately get up and follow him? Can I give up all control and just trust in his directions for me for each step, for each day, and not demand to know the whole plan in advance?

Matthew did not ask where he was going. He simply followed. I know I must do the same. And to live each day trusting that I am seeing the signposts and moving, one step at a time, in the direction as God desires. Brothers and sisters, as children of faith, this is what we are called to do — to surrender fully and trust in him, that he will take care of everything

(Today’s OXYGEN by Esther Leet)

Prayer: Lord, please open my eyes that I can see the signposts that lead me to the path you have planned for me. I desire to follow you, Lord. Please guide my every step.

Thanksgiving: Thank you Lord, for sending guides to help me along the way each day as I navigate this unknown path.