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Get into the ring! How this works...

This is easy! Each week on Thursday I post my homily idea...my main focus for preaching this coming Sunday. What I am hoping for is a reaction from people in the pews. Does my "focus" connect with your daily life, faith, and experience? Or not? Either affirm the direction I am going in (by giving me an example from your life) or challenge me, ask for clarification! Questions are the best! Reaction rather than reflection is what I'm looking for here. Don't be afraid, get in the ring. Ole!



Saturday, April 9, 2016

April 10 Homily Prep

-Last  Sunday's homily is available by email
-This Sunday's Scriptures can be found at www.usccb.org
-check out this weeks LinCletter at www.parishlincletter.blogspot.com
-I will be celebrating mass 4:00 PM on Saturday, 8:00, 11:00AM and 6:00PM on Sunday

Come, follow me


I am struck by the interaction between Jesus and his apostles in this resurrection story specifically in Jesus's command "come, have breakfast".  It appears that the disciples did not respond to that command because it then says that "Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them."  Apparently, they did not respond to his command "come"

I see a similar parallel in the conversation between Jesus and St. Peter. Jesus is asking Peter if he loves him and Peters answer is "yes".  However, Jesus' response is, " don't simply say yes, but if you love me then come, move, feed , tend, follow". 

Do we all suffer from this in authentic or incomplete response to Jesus's call? I am seeing a hesitancy on the part of those who are called or commanded  to simply give ascent rather than response.  

Do you notice this? Is this a distinction without a difference? I don't think so 


4 comments:

JoyFuralle said...

Very, very interesting observations.

Reminds me of something that JUST happened. I received an appeal from a years ago acquaintance regarding needing cash for her blind husband to purchase a device that would allow him to be more independent. I forwarded the email to all good and loving Catholics, mentioned especially in this year of mercy, and that she is asking for and needs help. Most did not reply to me. I don't know if they opened the link. Some responded to me that the link did not work. But they WERE taken to the site where they could have entered the city and name. I re-sent the link as I saw the amount collected had not changed. Yes, with our Creed 'I believe in God' in profession, but I think we all drag our feet.

I also recognize how people's comments or scoffing or disapproval and disdain and 'propriety' have worn on me, how I used to be more spontaneous & impetuous in serving the Lord in giving my all, badda bing! Some may call that maturity, I'm not so sure.

Match 'em Up said...

I agree with your comments, Matador, and those of JoyFuralle. I think at times the affirming answer is given, all the while KNOWING that action will not follow - but there isn't the courage or energy to be truthful; but I think most often the intentions are good and something gets in the way of the faithful action that should then take place.

What readily came to my mind is our response at the end of Mass to the exhortation - "Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life". We respond with our automatic "Thanks be to God" - but do we act on that? Our verbal response to such invitations by God are a great start - but I, for one, need to make sure that my actions match my assent.

Sophie said...

Was reminded of something I heard from Archbishop Chaput recently: that we need to wake each other up and experience life as it really is...support each other and not slip into narcotic haze of a lot of modern life.
So that haze is probably one reason we don't act readily; or fear; or inertia; or not knowing what in the world we are supposed to do, out of confusion... I did hear once "sin boldly" (I think Fr Ron Rohlheiser)which helped free me a bit, in the sense of not be afraid to make mistakes...

Anonymous said...

Situation with my sister who has heard the calling to give her life to the Lord. After being in the convent for over thirty years has heard another calling and is leaving the convent. I was at first surprised and shocked, but after discussing it with her she explained that she has heard another calling to serve God a different way.
Whatever we may do, we must do in the name of the Lord. In her early sixties she is doing and practicing and not just saying. At first I thought her action was risky, and what will the family say? How selfish of me. What she is doing is being obedient to her second calling, very unselfish and loving the Lord.