Calvary Episocopal Church
Memphis, Tennessee
THE CHRONICLE
January 21, 2001, The Third Sunday After the Epiphany
Volume 46, No.3

Hush! Hush! Somebody's Calling My Name.
It is one of the great, glorious spirituals of all time. The spiritual usually begins with the soft, acappella voice of a deep baritone or a smooth bourbon-voiced contralto. "Hush! Hush!" is almost whispered. By the time the chorus joins the soloist, the listener feels as though we each are being called – at least by the soul of the music, if not the soul of Somebody.

"Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Christ." So begins the Collect for the coming Third Sunday after the Epiphany. The "Call" from God to the hearts of hearers and doers is one of the major themes of the Epiphany season. So dominant is "the call" from God to God's kids in this season of the year that Epiphany might well be termed "the season of vocation."

Vocation is universal. It is God's gift for each of us. It comes unbidden. In unexpected ways and forms. It urges us to go deeper. To become clearer. To turn in new directions. To move from "being" to "becoming," from solitary to solidarity, from others to Other. An occupation may never change us. Vocation is always changing us.

And, vocation, the sacred call of "Holy Other" (a wonderful God title), is so very personal. As unique as our own life. As intimate as our own name. "Moses, Moses" at the burning bush. "Samuel" in the temple at night. "Mary" in the Easter garden. "Saul, Saul" on the Damascus road. Now, insert your name: " " and the events of your own life.

The homily for this Sunday will further explore your call, your vocation. Please be sure to listen carefully at the offertory at both the 9:00 a.m. and 11:10 a.m. services. The choirs are singing a gorgeous spiritual on this theme. Hush! Somebody is calling you!
~Doug Bailey

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