"Each of us has a unique life. God makes no copies, only originals." -Peter Knott, SJ.

Bearing this in mind, look at what St. Paul says to the Galatians about his life. He reminds them that his authority in preaching came from having been made an apostle by divine commission. His vision of Christ on the Damascus road changed him and gave him the courage to head the mission to the Gentiles, carrying the good news to them. This courage, Cardinal C.M. Martini says, "comes from the spirit of sonship: knowing ourselves to be in the hands of God...our Father; believing that Jesus makes us share in His attitude as Son." He needed this courage especially when sorely provoked by opposition to his ideas and to his teaching whilst fighting for the Gospel of Christ to make headway amongst the Gentiles.

God had chosen Paul, had made him uniquely to preach to the Gentiles. Knowing this, Paul did not hesitate in choosing to obey God the Father's will in spreading the Gospel despite the difficulties put in his way by others.

Similarly, in today's Gospel account, Mary demonstrated the same courage in her decision to sit at Jesus' feet, listening to Him, instead of helping her sister.

Cardinal J.H. Newman himself understood the uniqueness of this call when he wrote, "God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another... He has not created me for naught."