Call Me

“Call me what you please, but don’t call me too late to dinner.” This humorous phrase has had staying power for lighthearted banter. The old icebreaker is first on record as having emerged in an 1833 short story. Ever since it has been used to spare others embarrassment. It is used at times to defuse awkwardness when it is unclear how one might be called or by what title someone properly goes. It is a claim that one is more interested in the plain pleasure of a meal than in the formalities of being shown honor.

The Clergy find situations for using the line because the general population is sometimes unclear about how clergy like to be addressed. Is it Pastor, Father, Reverend, Preacher Elder, or Parson? Is it Father Price, Mr. Price, or David? I once knew a priest that was quick to clarify for people that “reverend” is used as a descriptive modifier in the title, connoting one held in respect. He would mention that a judge is introduced, for example, as The Honorable Macrina Jones, but one does not say, “Well, hello, Honorable.”. So too, he would say, a priest might be introduced as The Reverend Lydia Smith, but one would not say, “Well, hello, Reverend.”

Oh dear, this reflection is drifting far from the point. Consider another matter of calling. People can be called into service. Every Christian has reason to think of herself or himself as called by God into ministry and formation. Look at how Saint Paul begins a letter to Christians in Corinth:

“Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
(1 Corinthians 1:1-3)

Paul sees himself as called by God to be an apostle (one, sent out) to give a message to others. He also sees believers as sanctified in Christ Jesus, and called to be saints, that is “people, set apart.” Both things are part of your identity in Christ too. There is an aspect of apostolic calling in your Christian life: you are sent out from yourself to convey something of the Good News every place you go. Moreover, you are set apart from ordinary existence to be who Christ is making you be. Even as you are transformed into the likeness of Christ, you are uniquely you, even more than you would be otherwise. You come to be the authentic you.

There is a kind of radiance with which only you can shine. To switch the imagery, a fine perfume has qualities that meld with aspects of your scent, and on you, creates a more unique quality of fragrance. Similarly, Christ works within you to represent God in a way that no one else can. It is a beautiful thing to be so-called. Let’s finish with The Collect for 2 Epiphany:

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.