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I have been an ordained priest over 12 years. When I was younger, it never crossed my mind that one day I would be a priest. There were no ministers or clergy in my family—no one even remotely close to that vocation.

So, I never really saw priests as ordinary people beyond their roles. More than that, I grew up in Roman Catholic Church, and back then, there were unquestionable authority for priests, and unconditional respect for them. Some even said, they were married to God, and that alone made me think there should be a very special sign that called them to be ordained.

Then I became more actively engaging with the parish life and various volunteering opportunities, which led me to get acquainted with religious group, particularly Franciscans. Once I stepped in, I got to gain more realistic perspectives on God’s calling. One of the stories that I never forget is the story of Korean bishop Angelo Kim. Bishop Angelo was born in 1922, and as you look into Korean history, . He went through the Japanese colonial period throughout his childhood, and as a young adult, he also went through the Korean war.

Given that history, it is not hard to imagine how harsh life must have been. He grew up in a very poor but religious family, and he saw how his parents showed respect to the priest whenever he visited their home. More than anything else, what captured Angelo’s young mind was the food on the table.

Of course, it would not have been lavish dishes as we have on our big family dinners, but it was special enough to make his eyes open wide. One of the rare commodities back then was eggs. Angelo’s family never had eggs for themselves but sold them to get other necessities, but when the priest was visiting, it was an exception.

So little Angelo, who was often hungry and envied having eggs, began to dream about becoming a priest.  In his mind, that was the way to have as many eggs he wanted. Certainly, he entered seminary later at the age of 15 and was ordained at 26. Then he was ordained as a bishop later at 52.

I have not read anything regarding his thoughts and feelings around this ordination, but I am sure he did not maintain the same motivation for having more eggs as a priest. It is not just him, but I also have met many whose first motivation to be a priest was not based on grandiose purpose.

One of my classmates at the seminary was almost fixated with priest garments. For him, wearing chasubles embroidered with beautiful symbols captured his mind and it was the holiest thing he could imagine. I also met someone who joined a religious order following their best friend. Hearing all these unexpected stories of how they made up their mind to be a church person was quite an experience of dismantling my prejudice.

As some people say, God surely has a sense of humor in His way of calling people to their vocation.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus says to fishermen “I will make you fish for people.” And indeed, God uses the best bait that lures everyone in the most effective way.

Many people wonder how Peter, Andrew, James and John immediately left their nets and followed Jesus. Perhaps, they had already heard of Jesus’ works and words and admired him. Perhaps, they had been waiting a long time for the Messiah as other people had. Perhaps, they could have a bit of time to take care of things although it was not mentioned in the Gospel. We can only imagine what stirred their hearts that day.

But as we continue to read the Gospel, it is quite sure that none of them had clear understanding of who Jesus was, what the Good News brought by Jesus was about, or what their discipleship was meant to be. Some were ignorant, others were occupied with worldly matters. They were motivated by something that they hoped to obtain or achieve upon their own hunger. And probably Jesus knew that as well. He was not looking for someone who was well educated, socially skilled, or exceptionally talented.

Many were from working class as fishermen, or tradesmen, and among them, there was even a tax collector for the Roman Empire, who was despised by the Jewish people back then. It was not just their background, but their temperaments as well, not so much standing out with good characteristics.

We found them impulsive like Peter, hot-tempered like James and John, skeptical like Thomas, radical like Simon, and all in all, still secularly minded with their ambition which was all shown in their lack of understanding. Then why did Jesus choose them? What would have been important criteria?

Since there is nothing impossible to God, probably Jesus’ power and authority could have guided anyone to be the disciples. But as we follow through how Jesus’ disciples were formed and transformed on their journey, there are two things that I believe enabled them to grow over time with God’s grace.

One is their commitment. Although they did not fully understand Jesus’ identity and mission, they always followed Jesus and listened to what he said to them. Maybe they could not fully understand what he said or what he did at the moment, but when it was time, they were able to recall and finally come to embrace the great commission given by Jesus with clarity.

Second is their trust and humility. Particularly, we see how these qualities are important as we reflect on Judas, the one who failed in responding to God’s calling. Most of the disciples failed to remain faithful at the moment when Jesus died. But the difference is that others had room for God’s grace and mercy even in the darkest moment with no hope, which allowed them a second a chance.

As their hope was broken and shattered but remained open in trust and humility, God was able to reach out deeper as He filled them with grace. Then finally, they were able to be back on the right track with more strength and faith.

The same is true for us. We may have become a Christian for simple, even trivial reasons. A sense of community, the comfort of routine, the warmth of fellowship, or a search for hope amid crisis. Whatever our first motivation, God’s plan for us is always far greater than what we imagine. If we remain committed, listening to the words of God, receiving the blessing at the table of the Lord, being mindful of our identity as Christ follower in our daily lives, as long as we believe that God’s grace and mercy will be always found beyond what we thought was the end, God will work with us, work through us until we become the true light and life for the world as Jesus is for us.  

Because God can transform someone who was hungry for eggs into a bishop who feeds others with the bread of life. God can transform someone who only knew how to fish into a man who fish people for salvation. So let us be glad that we are called and commit ourselves on our journey and be persistent with trust and humility. Because God is good and his glory is to be revealed through us as we walk this path together in faith. 

Fr. James