During the call of Levi – who leaves his post and follows Jesus – we hear the encouraging words of the Lord, who “did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” May we recognize our need for ongoing conversion as we turn away from sin and follow Christ.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 1st Week of the Year
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The healing miracle and revelation of Jesus as God are made possible through the selfless service of four friends who made the effort to help somebody in need. May their example inspire us to be somebody’s somebody today!
Mass Readings – Friday of the 1st Week of the Year
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The psalm response today offers sound advice as we follow the Lord and serve one another.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 1st Week of the Year
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From the very beginning, the Lord’s earthly ministry included prayer, preaching, teaching, healing and driving out demons. May His example inspire us to actively seek ways we can continue this work in our lives today.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 1st Week of the Year
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Jesus reveals his power in Capernaum as he teaches with authority and drives out demons.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 1st Week of the Year
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As Jesus calls the first disciples he says, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” May we respond to Christ today – knowing that as we follow the Lord we will be empowered to invite others to join us.
Mass Readings – Monday of the First Week of the Year
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Study: Reflect on an experience in life when you have been called to do something. Who called you? What did it feel like?
Pray: Ask the Lord for guidance to discern how to follow Jesus Christ today.
Serve: Are there people in your life who are experiencing a calling? How can you help them discover their path?
Mass Readings – 2nd Sunday of the Year
Have you ever had moments in life when you wish the answers were written in the sky with letters that were clear and easy to read? Where there is no doubt what to do; no hesitation that a certain choice is the best; no worry that something has been missed? The question surfaces frequently: How do we know the Lord’s call for our lives?
In the Scriptures today we have two examples where people are being called by God:
While each story presents a perspective that is unique, both have some points that are worth noting:
The same three steps continue today. God keeps inviting! The Lord’s grace ceaselessly pours out upon the earth, inviting and empowering us to draw closer to God and one another. Everything we have comes from the Lord, who takes the initiative to reach out to us in love.
Our response – both in word and deed – completes this initiative. Accepting the Lord’s call we grow in wisdom and strength, developing our God-given gifts for service in the world. As we continue to say yes to the Lord’s guidance we become more and more alive, become a conduit through which Christ’s mission touches the hearts and lives of others.
So how and where does the Lord speak today? Where do we look for the call? A few starting thoughts…
May we say yes to the Lord’s call in our lives, responding with full and open hearts, serving one another with the strength of Jesus Christ!
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Note: This post was originally published on January 12, 2015.
The Baptism of the Lord inspires us to claim the gift of our own baptism as we follow Christ and live the gift of life infused with faith.
Mass Readings – Baptism of the Lord
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John the Baptist reveals a humility and depth of knowledge as he recognizes how the ministry of Jesus must grow. “He must increase; I must decrease.” May these words apply to each one of us as we welcome Christ as King of our hearts.
Mass Readings – Saturday after Epiphany
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The desire of Jesus to make clean the leper in the Gospel of Luke reveals the Lord’s desire to cleanse each one of us: body, mind, heart and soul.
Mass Readings – Friday after Epiphany
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