Today, in the Old Testament reading, we are given the opportunity into the call of the prophet, Isaiah. He had a vision of God and the heavenly seraphs; and heard all that was in the sanctuary and the Temple of God (vv. 1, 4). He then realized, "what a wretched state I am in! I am lost, I am a man of unclean lips, and my eyes have looked at the King, the Lord of hosts" (v 5). In coming into the presence of the divine, Isaiah was unravelled by his own feelings of sinfulness. What was he going to do?

Many saints have also felt the same way. They did not feel that they were holy enough for the vocation that God had called them into. However, as we read their biographies, we witness how God patiently and creatively moulded them. And how the saints had opened themselves up to the grace of God to work in their lives.

Isaiah, in his predicament, was rescued by one of the seraphs. The seraph had taken live coal from the altar, had touched Isaiah's mouth, and then had said, "See now, this has touched your lips, your sin is taken away, your iniquity is purged" (vv. 6-7). Immediately, Isaiah heard the voice of the Lord, "Whom shall I send? Who will be Our messenger?" (v 8). This time, Isaiah did not flinch but answered straightaway, "Here I am, send me" (v8).

When God calls you, how would you feel, and how will you answer?