29th Week in Ordinary Time

I . . . urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received. 

When Pope Francis was asked, “Who is Jorge Bergoglio?” his answer surprised many: “I am a sinner whom the Lord looked upon with mercy.” But to fellow Jesuits around the world, his response was anything but surprising. They knew that this is the standard answer for a Jesuit when he is asked about his identity: that he is “a sinner loved and redeemed by God.”

In today’s first reading, St. Paul urges his readers to “live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience” (Ephesians 4:1-2). One way we can do this is by embracing both the reality of our sinfulness and the extravagant love and mercy that God has for us.

Why is it important to hold these two truths at the same time? Because to know that we are sinners without knowing God’s love for us can lead us to feel guilty and ashamed. And to know ourselves as loved but not a sinner can lead us to believe that we don’t have to obey his commandments. However, together they remind us of how much we need the Lord, and that helps us to grow in humility and gratitude. We realize that a person who is living a life “worthy of the call” doesn’t get puffed up with pride but also never despairs of God’s help. It also makes us more gentle and patient with ourselves. We will inevitably fall, but God already knows that—and out of his great love for us, he is always ready to offer his forgiveness and mercy.

This recognition of who we are can also help us in “bearing with one another through love” (Ephesians 4:2). We aren’t perfect, and we can’t expect other people to be perfect, either. We are all in the same boat—all sinners striving to please the Lord but also in need of God’s mercy every day. That awareness softens our hearts, allowing us to treat others with patience and gentleness and to forgive them as the Lord forgives us.

Yes, God has called us who are sinners to follow him. But through his love, grace, and mercy, we can live in a way that makes us worthy of this call!

“Jesus, thank you for calling me. Help me to glorify you.”

Ephesians 4:1-6
Psalm 24:1-6
Luke 12:54-59