A Letter from Fr. Paul - Sunday, January 21st

As we move through these first Sundays of Ordinary time, we continue hearing call stories.  Last week we heard about Samuel’s call, as well as Andrew and Peter beginning to follow Jesus. Our Gospel this week presents Jesus calling James, John, Andrew, and Peter to leave everything and start a new life with Him, learning how to be “fishers of people.” Ordinary time begins with call stories to remind us that we, also, were called in baptism, to follow Jesus and to bring others to Him.  Throughout Ordinary time Jesus will be teaching His disciples, including us, how to do that, by what He says and how He lives.

Each one of us, no matter what life God has given us (lay, religious, clerical; single, married, parent; work, profession), has the same obligation to live as Christ did, thus bringing Him into the world.  

How is it that we are to live?  There are two basic obligations: the first is to obey the commandments, that is, love God and not hurt other people.  The second is to show that love of God by reaching out and helping others, especially those most in need.  It is going beyond not hurting others to being concerned and helping them address their needs, especially the most vulnerable. We need to do our best to keep growing in fulfilling these demands.

God knows we can’t be perfect, so when we fail, we need to acknowledge it and ask for forgiveness.  Finally, we need to trust in God’s promises that He accompanies us, supports us, and offers us 
forgiveness.

Our baptismal call is not to be perfect, but to be continually growing in our ability to keep the commandments; help others; ask for forgiveness, as needed; and trust that God is with us. Let us support each other in prayer, that we may always be growing in our ability to fulfill the call God has given us.  God bless.

Church sign of the week (repeated from last week, because it is so relevant): God’s voice is as loud as your willingness to listen.