Tag Archives: God’s call

CALLED BY GOD

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Sunday 25th October – 30th Sunday of the year

Reflection: Hebrews 5: 1-6

CALLED BY GOD

Scripture gives us several accounts both of men and women who were called by God. These people were called and set aside from their ordinary lives because God had a specific assignment for them. Abraham had to leave his fatherland in Ur of the Chaldeans; David had to leave his duty as a shepherd, Elisha had to leave his farm, oxen and family; Peter, Andrew, James and John had to leave their fishing businesses and families.
All of us, baptized Christians have been called by God into the common priesthood of all believers (CCC 1268). But there is another kind of priesthood – the ministerial priesthood which is possessed by bishops and priests. While our calling requires that we strive for holiness in the midst of our ordinary lives, the calling of our priests is much different. They are specifically called to share in the priesthood of Christ, offering the sacrifice of the Eucharist for us and leading us on in our path to holiness. This special call is one that leads them into a different kind of life altogether.

Dear friends, if we recognize that our priests have been specifically called by God what should be our attitude towards them? First, we must be careful of what we say about them as we are not in position to judge God’s servant and such judgment may have unpleasant repercussions for us just as it did for Miriam (Num 12). In addition, if there are no priests, there will be no sacraments – no access to confession or the Eucharist. Hence, we must be grateful to them for the sacrifice they make in yielding to God’s call and show that gratitude in supporting them. Finally, they too, like us, live in the limitations of weakness (Heb 5:2) hence, it is our responsibility to pray for them constantly, asking the Lord to strengthen them and help them lead His flock aright.

PRAYER: Thank you dear Lord for the gift of our priests. Please strengthen them in their vocation and help me to treat them with love and respect always. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 250 – How does the Church understand the sacrament of Holy Orders?

The priests of the Old covenant saw their duty as mediating between heavenly and earthly things, between God and his people. Since Christ is the “one mediator between God and men” (1 Tim 2:5), he perfected and ended that priesthood. After Christ there can be an ordained priesthood only in Christ, in Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross, and through a calling and apostolic mission from Christ.

HIDE A TREASURE: “One does not take the honour upon himself, but he is called by God just as Aaron was” Hebrews 5:4 RSV-CE

Today’s Readings: Jeremiah 31: 7-9; Psalm 126: 1-6; Hebrews 5: 1-6; Mark 10: 46-52

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ARE YOU READY?

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Sunday, 26th January – 3rd Sunday of the year

Reflection: Matthew 4:12-23

ARE YOU READY?

“Look, I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my call and open the door, I will come in to you and have supper with you, and you with me” (Revelation 3:20). Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw Peter and his brother Andrew who were fishermen and called them to follow him, at once they left all and followed him. Also, James and John, Son of Zebedee, left their Father and their boats and followed him at once. These disciples did not know what lies ahead, yet, they left all and followed him.

Dear Friends, today Christ is calling you to follow him; to be his disciple. Can you hear the call and are you ready for this? The call to follow him is a call to bear witness to Christ. This demands self-mortification and total submission from you. Self-mortification in terms of the comfort and pleasure we have to let go, the way of life and friends we have to leave, the insults we have to bear and the enemies we have to love and forgive. All these constitute the daily cross we have to bear to be a disciple of Christ (Luke 14:26-27). Christ is calling you today to serve him in the Church, in the community, and in the world at large. Can you hear Him and are you ready?

Remember, when God sends you on an errand, He pays the bill. So, do not worry about what lies ahead if you respond to the call. God will take care of that, for He cares for us. All you need to do is to make yourself available and say, “HERE AM I LORD, I HAVE COME TO DO YOUR WILL”.

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for my being, give me the grace to hear and to respond to your call all my life. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 348 – “Teacher, what . . . must I do to have eternal life?” (Mt 19:16)

Jesus says, “If you would enter life, keep the commandments” (Mt 19:17). Then he adds, “and come, follow me” (Mt 19:21).

Christianity is more than a correct life and keeping the commandments. Being a Christian is a living relationship to Jesus. A Christian unites himself deeply and personally with the Lord and with him sets out on the way that leads to true life.

HIDE A TREASURE: “My son, if you have decided to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for trials. Keep your hearts upright and remain resolute; do not be upset in the time of adversity.” Sirach 2:1-2 GNB

Readings for today: Isaiah 8:23- 9:3, 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17; Matthew 4:12-23