Isaiah, Paul and John the Baptist all offered their lives in service for the Lord. As we follow their example, may the words of the Psalmist, “Here am I Lord, I come to do your will” echo in our hearts!
The call of Levi offers us hope. As Jesus calls and reaches outs to sinners, we know that the Lord lovingly calls us – in spite of our sins – to follow him along the path of new life.
Our pilgrimage group in Capernaum, listening to our guide, Johnny.
The healing of the paralytic in Capernaum reveals the connections between faith, forgiveness and healing. May our faith grow each day as we draw closer to the Lord and one another.
As Jesus heals the leper we comprehend an important truth: the Lord meets us where we are – in our brokenness and frailty – and helps us grow in newness of life. Simply put, we become more when we are touched by Christ.
Here’s a quick overview of the readings this week:
1st – The prophet Isaiah describes a servant of the Lord
Psalm – “Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.”
2nd – Paul addresses the church of Corinth
Gospel – John the Baptist testifies to Jesus
In all of these readings we see the pattern emerge about serving the Lord. Isaiah describes it; the Psalmist proclaims it; Paul refers to it; John the Baptist shows it.
Throughout salvation history God has called men and women to offer their lives in a variety of different ways. Perhaps in a holy way of life or through heroic sacrifice; or maybe through service, works of charity, or prayerful stillness.
It’s crucial to note, however, that the Lord continues to call disciples today. Our lives – redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ – are precious, holy, and sacred. We have been given the gift to choose how we will live, and thus become a gift to the world.
Every day we reaffirm the gift of our lives. Perhaps you are searching for the Lord’s call in your life today…take time to discern how you can offer your life. Perhaps you have chosen your vocation…then live it with passion! And while we can’t change the past, we can learn from it, and apply the insights into making the present moment a blessed offering to God.
The baptism of Jesus recalls the gift of our own baptism and how our lives are now configured to Christ. May we live this great gift as we put our faith into practice.
The words of John Baptist remind us of a crucial spiritual point, “He must increase, I must decrease.” May we seek to let Christ increase his rule in our hearts each and every day.
As Jesus heals the leper in the Gospel of Luke, we witness the profound compassion of the Lord, who longs for our TOTAL healing – body, mind, heart and soul. May we draw near to Christ for this healing and in turn seek to be agents of healing whenever possible.