Study:  Recall a moment where you felt that God was prompting you to action.  What motivated you to act?  What held you back?

Pray:  What grace do you need to carry out your current tasks?  Storm heaven for the strength you require.

Serve:  How can you make an ordinary action extraordinary?  How can you do a little thing with great love?

Mass Readings – 5th Sunday of the Year

The readings incorporate the theme of being sent on mission:

• 1st Reading – Isaiah responding to the Lord’s invitation
• Psalm – Responding to the Lord’s call with songs of praise
• 2nd Reading – Paul’s recap of the response of the apostles
• Gospel – Jesus making “fishers of men” of the Peter & the apostles

In all these cases some common points surface:

1. God takes the initiative and calls us
2. We (however unworthy) are invited to respond
3. God provides the grace and strength
4. We are called to offer our lives in action

These are beautiful thoughts as we sit on the doorstep of Lent!  Friends, God continues to call us – providing grace – that we might respond and offer our lives for service in the world.  So let’s turn these points around from our perspective:

1. How has the Lord called each one of us…today?
2. What excuses or obstacles are keeping us from responding?
3. What particular grace do we need from the Lord – ask for it!
4. Remember: all action – great or small – that we offer will be blessed by God to make a difference in the world.

May our words follow the example of Isaiah in the first reading today:  Here am I, Lord…send me!

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Catholic Inspiration Archives

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Note: This post was first published on February 2, 2016.