The theme for all BLD communities for the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary time focuses us on the way we, as disciples of Christ, should detach ourselves from the things of the world that separate us or distract us from our mission and calling. We are bombarded at every turn by messages urging us to conform to the norms and values of today’s world, making it difficult to live our faith. It behooves us to look deeper into our hearts for our purpose and to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to be able to withstand the continual attack that we encounter everyday aimed at preventing us from reaching our eternal goal.
In the second reading, St. Paul seems to suggest some radical changes to the fundamental things we do on a daily basis: our relationship with our spouse, how we conduct our business, even how we should handle our emotions as though they are not important. I believe that he is not telling us that we should withdraw or neglect our responsibilities in life, but that we should set our priorities so that we do not lose sight of our eternal destiny and how we will account for the way we have lived when we stand before God.
In the first reading the people of Nineveh turned away from their evil ways after hearing the message of the prophet Jonah, and the Lord did not destroy their city. We, as disciples of Christ, must accept the fact that we are far from perfect; and we must exercise continuous repentance for our transgressions. The bible says that a righteous man sins seven times a day (Prv 24:16). We should regularly ask for absolution and forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
The second order was taken from the call Jesus made to the Peter, Andrew, James and John. They were fishermen living within the confined area of the Sea of Galilee. The tools of their trade were their boats and their nets. The fruit of their trade was the fish that they caught and the money they received for selling the fish. They had every reason to believe that this would always be their way of life, until the day Jesus called them to follow Him. They left their boats, nets and family to become disciples of the Master.
The call that Jesus addressed to those two sets of brothers, “Follow me,” is addressed to each one of us. In our case that call may not mean leaving our jobs, if we are fortunate enough to have one, or much less, leaving our families. Yet the call of Jesus to follow Him will always involve giving up something. Just like the first disciples, we too must give up our old ways, leaving behind our old life of darkness and sin. When we let go, the Lord fills the void by opening up new horizons, a new way and a new beginning. His call comes with new challenges and trials in your journey, but He will equip you for the work that you are doing for His kingdom.
Like the first disciples, who were confined to the borders of the Sea of Galilee, our world was limited to family and work. But when we encountered Jesus over 20 years ago here in BLD, our eyes were opened to the need for evangelization and the vastness of the harvest. We were blessed to be able to help spread His kingdom in the establishment of different BLD communities around the United States. We were graced to work with other parishes and nationalities in forming their own faith groups. We never envisioned that we would get involved as laborers in His vineyard, but now we know that it is all part of His divine plan.
In the first reading the people of Nineveh turned away from their evil ways after hearing the message of the prophet Jonah, and the Lord did not destroy their city. We, as disciples of Christ, must accept the fact that we are far from perfect; and we must exercise continuous repentance for our transgressions. The bible says that a righteous man sins seven times a day (Prv 24:16). We should regularly ask for absolution and forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
The second order was taken from the call Jesus made to the Peter, Andrew, James and John. They were fishermen living within the confined area of the Sea of Galilee. The tools of their trade were their boats and their nets. The fruit of their trade was the fish that they caught and the money they received for selling the fish. They had every reason to believe that this would always be their way of life, until the day Jesus called them to follow Him. They left their boats, nets and family to become disciples of the Master.
The call that Jesus addressed to those two sets of brothers, “Follow me,” is addressed to each one of us. In our case that call may not mean leaving our jobs, if we are fortunate enough to have one, or much less, leaving our families. Yet the call of Jesus to follow Him will always involve giving up something. Just like the first disciples, we too must give up our old ways, leaving behind our old life of darkness and sin. When we let go, the Lord fills the void by opening up new horizons, a new way and a new beginning. His call comes with new challenges and trials in your journey, but He will equip you for the work that you are doing for His kingdom.
Like the first disciples, who were confined to the borders of the Sea of Galilee, our world was limited to family and work. But when we encountered Jesus over 20 years ago here in BLD, our eyes were opened to the need for evangelization and the vastness of the harvest. We were blessed to be able to help spread His kingdom in the establishment of different BLD communities around the United States. We were graced to work with other parishes and nationalities in forming their own faith groups. We never envisioned that we would get involved as laborers in His vineyard, but now we know that it is all part of His divine plan.