There are so many sleepless nights that I have spent wishing I could be struck by lightening and hear God tell me out loud his plan for me. I feel frustrated with figures like Paul, who followed God because of an experience like that. I think to myself, “Well, if I had such a clearly obvious sign from God, I would follow God too!” Why does God not send me a signal so that I may pursue his plan whole-heartedly?

Of course, during this Easter season, we are remembering more than ever the very signal that God did send us in Jesus. It is the Gospel reading today that reminds me that Jesus’ dying and resurrection was not simply an event that happened 2,000 years ago but was the kickoff of an endless series of signs that God is calling us. We witness this call to follow God every time we celebrate the Eucharist. God, through our priests, performs the miracle of transforming simple bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus. While this idea is impossible to comprehend, it is still quite amazing to ponder. Jesus continually offers us his own body and blood so that we may become one with God and feel God within us.

While not exactly a lightning bolt, I have to admit that’s pretty cool, and more than enough reason for me to follow God.