Responding to the Call

…St Patrick: Today is St Patrick’s day. Born in Britain, sixteen-year-old Patrick was captured by Irish raiders. After six years as a slave he escaped and returned to Britain. He heard a call from his God to return to Ireland, where he preached, bringing Christianity to Ireland. Patrick responded to the call…

…Soldiers: Reflecting on ‘Where have all the flowers gone’, led to conversations about family members who have served in both wars… Martin’s grandfather served in the 6th Cyclist Battalion of the Norfolk Regiment in the First World War. Apparently, there were nine cyclist battalions across the country. Soldiers responded to the call…  

…Emma: Sixteen-year-old Maya from Essex had severely damaged kidneys. Fifty-one-year-old journalist, Emma, was contacted in March 2025 to write, appealing for a kidney donor. Emma became the donor herself. The transplant was on 6 January. Yesterday both were interviewed – fit and well. Maya said, ‘Not only has Emma given me a life but she has made me want to live it.’ Emma responded to the call…

…Students:  There have been 13 cases of meningitis in the Canterbury area since Friday, including the tragic deaths of two young people. The outbreak is thought to be linked to a nightclub event. Yesterday face-masked students were lining up on the University of Kent campus to receive precautionary antibiotics. Students responded to the call…

…Saul: This morning’s Bible reading… Israel has been calling out to their God for a king… Kish calls his son Saul to look for lost donkeys… God calls Samuel to anoint Saul as king… Samuel calls Saul to be king… Saul doesn’t want to but eventually becomes King of Israel… Saul responded to the call.

…Me: Musing… Responding to the call… Saul – the unwilling volunteer… students – the wise precaution… Emma – the life-giving gift… soldiers – the ultimate sacrifice… Patrick – the return to his place of suffering…

Me – Going about my ordinary business, looking for donkeys, writing an article… called to do the unexpected, the inconvenient, the sacrificial. How do I respond to the call?