January 21 Homily Prep

-Last Sunday's homily is available by email
-This Sunday's Scriptures can be found at www.usccb.org
-check out this week's LinC Letter at www.parishlincletter.blogspot.com
-I will be celebrating mass at 5:30 on Saturday, 12:15 mass at the Cathedral and 6:00pm at St. Albert on Sunday

Back to Square One

Jesus in the Gospel today fulfills the ancient prophecy regarding Zebulon and Naphtali as the beginning of his public ministry. Why so? Evidently Jesus saw the beginnings of his work of salvation in the light of reclaiming the ancient tribes of Israel beginning with those first lost. Nine centuries before the time of Jesus Christ the tribes of Zebulon and Naphtali were exiled by the Assyrians.  Six centuries before the time of Jesus finally the southern tribes of Judah, Israel, were exiled. They all had to be reclaimed according to the order they were lost. Jesus, according to the angel who gave him his name, "Will save his people".

 It is also in that ancient territory to be reclaimed for God that Jesus found and called his apostles. He called his apostles for two purposes. First, he called them to be with him.  Second, he called them to be sent from him. This being "called and sent" out of the place where one is lost might invite us to consider the beginnings of our separation from God and the source of our salvation.

So, let's go back to square one. Let's remember where we were when we were saved. Let's recognize that we were in fact called not simply to come home from exile but we were called from being lost so that we might be sent. The apostle is one who, most perfectly like Jesus from the Father, is sent.

Where were you when you were lost? Well, where were you when he called you? And how have you been sent?