Sacred Urgency: Responding to God's Call with Purpose and Readiness - July 11, 202

A reflection on today's scripture through the lens of Ignatian Spirituality

In the busyness of modern life, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. We often rush from one task to the next, constantly trying to keep up with responsibilities and obligations. But how much of this busyness truly aligns with what matters most? The scriptures offer us a powerful reminder of what it means to live with sacred urgency — a call to respond immediately and purposefully to God’s will.

Consider the profound moment when God calls out to Jacob: “Jacob! Jacob!” This isn’t a casual greeting; it is a divine summons that demands an immediate response. Jacob’s reply is swift and unhesitating: “Here I am.” The directness of God's call and Jacob's prompt answer serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of being ready and attentive to God's voice.

This interaction teaches us that sacred urgency is not about hasty action or frantic busyness; rather, it is about being attuned to God's presence and direction in our lives. God’s call often requires an immediate response — a “here I am” that reflects a heart ready to act according to divine guidance. In our own lives, this may look like recognizing opportunities to serve, offering help when needed, or stepping out in faith, even when it feels uncomfortable or uncertain.

In the New Testament, we hear Jesus charge His Apostles with an urgent mission: “Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.” These words are not just a command for the Apostles of that time; they resonate with us today, calling each of us to a mission of purpose and immediate action.

The urgency of being “sent” underscores the importance of engaging with the world with both discernment and integrity. The image of “sheep in the midst of wolves” paints a stark picture of the challenges the Apostles would face, emphasizing that their mission would not be easy. Yet, the charge to be “shrewd as serpents and simple as doves” calls for a balance between wisdom and purity — a call to navigate a complex and often hostile world with both insight and an unwavering commitment to truth.

This instruction teaches us that sacred urgency is not about acting recklessly or without thought. It is about purposeful engagement, where each action is guided by discernment and faith. The urgency in being “sent” is a reminder that we each have a divine mission — one that requires wisdom, courage, and purity in a world that may not always understand or welcome our message.

What does Sacred Urgency look like in our lives? Together, these passages from the scriptures reveal the essence of sacred urgency:

1. Readiness: Being prepared to respond when God calls, just as Jacob was ready to answer with a simple, “Here I am.”

2. Purposeful Action: Recognizing that we are “sent” with a divine mission that demands immediate attention. Like the Apostles, we are called to fulfill a purpose in the world now, not later.

3. Wise Engagement: Navigating the complexities of life with both insight and integrity, embodying wisdom (“shrewd as serpents”) and purity of heart (“simple as doves”).

The question then becomes: What “Jacob! Jacob!” moment might God be presenting to you right now? Are you ready to respond immediately, with a heart that says, “Here I am”? And in the challenges of your own mission, how are you being called to be both shrewd and simple — to navigate the world with discernment while maintaining purity of purpose?

Sacred urgency isn’t about doing everything or doing it quickly. It’s about being ready when God calls, understanding that every moment is an opportunity to live out our divine purpose with intentionality. When we embrace this urgency, we align our actions with what truly matters and find ourselves living lives of deeper meaning and fulfillment.