god calling
"Here I am. You called me." —1 Samuel 3:5
The Lord starts this new year by calling us as He called Samuel, Andrew, and Simon Peter. He is calling us to join Him:
- not in a superficial way, but to love Him with all our hearts (Mt 22:37),
- in a Christian community of the others whom He has called, and
- in waking up and renewing a sleeping Church (see 1 Sm 3:2-3).
We must accept all three aspects of the Lord's call, or we have rejected His call. Some say they've given their lives to Jesus, but are not willing to share their lives with other members of Christ's body, the Church. Others are working in parish renewal but are still compromised with the world and not totally living for Jesus. Christ's call is three-fold — to accept Him, to accept true community life in His body, the Church, and to accept responsibility to help renew this broken body.
Jesus is turning around, noticing us following Him, and asking us: "What are you looking for?" (Jn 1:38) Our answers should be: "We're looking for a total commitment to You, community life in Your Church, and renewal for Your Church." Then Jesus says: "Come and see" (Jn 1:39).
Prayer: Father, "speak, for Your servant is listening" (1 Sm 3:10).
Promise: "You must know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, Who is within — the Spirit you have received from God. You are not your own. You have been purchased, and at a price. So glorify God in your body." —1 Cor 6:19-20
Praise: Praise Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life! (Jn 11:25) I will sing Your praises for all eternity.
Reference: (For related teaching, order our booklet, Introduction to Small Christian Communities.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Edward J. Gratsch, June 20, 1996
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 26, 1996