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From the Pastor's Desk: January 17, 2021
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From the Pastor’s Desk: January 17, 2021
This Sunday welcomes us to Ordinary Time in the life of the Church. There are periods of Ordinary Time between the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord and Ash Wednesday and then between Pentecost and Advent. Ordinary Time provides a welcome opportunity to reflect on the life of Jesus and our vocation as Christians, as well as it invites us to enter and to take stock of our relationship with Jesus – to learn more about Him and His life, to meditate on the meaning of the Gospel for our lives today, and to practice our Christian witness in the world.
This year, the first part of Ordinary Time has only five Sundays and we are invited to pray that God “will direct our actions” so that “we may abound in good works.” As ever, we turn to the Word of God for such direction – the Living Word that is a “lamp for my feet, a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105). On the other hand, this is a special time that should not be put aside, but rather to allow it to bring our desires and expectations to a greater fulfilment. It is precisely in Ordinary Time where life is lived the most. It is here that the relationships are formed that lead to celebrations to make them very special and most significant. It is here that our identity is shaped and expressed. It is here that our work and professions serve to build up the world in which we live to be a better place. It is here that the Kingdom of God must become more and more a reality. It is here that we truly realize that although this is an ordinary time, with the presence of God and our desire to be more and more authentic disciples of Jesus, it becomes very much an “extraordinary” time in our lives.
The Gospel today tells the story as Jesus calls His first disciples. The disciples of John the Baptist, Andrew and the “other disciple,” whom we presume to be John the Evangelist, are encouraged to learn more about this curious man named Jesus. So they spend time together rather than to grill Him with many questions. They just simply want to hang out with Him. They did not call Him “Lamb of God” as John the Baptist did, but rather “Rabbi,” an expression of respect and an acknowledgment that He has something to teach them. The Lord doesn’t impose and/or force anything but rather extends simple words of invitation, “Come and see.”
It is truly amazing as we read the passage, to see Andrew who “heard John and followed Jesus.” In following Jesus, Andrew discovers that he has met the Messiah, and that’s not something he can keep to himself, so he shares it with his brother, Simon. The minute Jesus meets Simon He gives him a nickname—Cephas—and from that friendship a great mission would soon be born. Cephas—Peter—would not undertake that mission alone; he would follow Christ and share in his mission.
As He did with those first disciples long ago, Jesus invites us today to embrace His call to "come and see", to follow Him, so we can learn answers of what we are looking for in life, what matters most, what does not matter and how to know the Way and the Light in our lives.
At Christmas, one of the gifts that we shared with our parishioners was a book by Matthew Kelly, “I heard God laugh.” At the beginning of the New Year, I challenged every parishioner to spend just 10 minutes a day for 21 days using the Prayer Process method described in the book to make room for the Lord and our relationship with Him. To allow Him to speak and extend His gentle invitation, “Come and see.” I wonder if you had a chance to engage in the challenge? “The method of prayer I teach people in the book, I call the 'Prayer Process.' It's a really simple, seven-step process that really anybody could use, whether they are a monk in a monastery for the past 40 years or just starting to pray for the first time. What I love about the prayer process is that it expands or contracts according to where you are. (Matthew Kelly)”
I wish you a blessed, joyful, and peace-filled week!
With prayers,
Fr. Andy
