In today’s gospel, Jesus appeals to the Jews to accept him for who he is because of who sent him — God the Father! As I read it, I wondered why it was so difficult for them to accept who God had sent. My heart was grieved as I continued to read, but then God reminded me of a time when I myself had trouble accepting what He sent.

In August 2022, I received God’s call into ministry. I had heard time and time again from others that this was a part of my destiny, but I would not budge until I heard from God Himself. After all, in my faith tradition I needed an assignment to go with the call. Nevertheless, I took this call seriously and began to compose my plan.

“Howard University, here I come!” I said with excitement. “I can remain at Catholic Charities USA and attend school at night — this is the perfect plan!” However, was it God’s perfect plan? His response was simply “No.”

Two days later, God spoke again, saying, “Go to Yale.” “How am I going to get in,” I thought, “and how am I going to pay for it? I’m not qualified, and I will fall on my face in shame.” Surely, I was not hearing God correctly! But God spoke again and said, “Sheena, stop fighting me. Go.”

I visited, applied and faced rejection, all seemingly in the same breath. Imagine my predicted shame, embarrassment and confusion! However, after I dried my tears, I reminded myself of God’s words: “Go!” Two years later, I applied again with different results: “Congratulations, and welcome to Yale Divinity School!”

I discovered that the call and the assignment were not about me, but about my faith and trust in God.

God is looking for our “acceptance” of His will. Why is it so hard to accept God’s goodness, especially when it will save us from sin? Jesus stood before the Jews, yet they rejected him because it went against their tradition. But Jesus was saying, “I am God on earth; you are bound to sin, and I have been sent here by God the Father to free you.” How beautiful.

I pray that this Lenten season is filled with our acceptance of God’s plan for our lives because His plan is always perfect. Amen.

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Sheena Lefaye Crews is Senior Creative Director, Catholic Charities USA, and incoming Yale Divinity Student, MDiv, ’27.