Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time_C - Depart From Me, Lord_020622

Deacon Tom Writes,

“Depart From Me, Lord” 

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Simple amazement at catching a boatload of fish overwhelms Peter and gives him some insight into the person of Jesus. But Peter’s initial reaction is to resist Jesus telling him, “Depart from me, Lord.” Luke is the only Evangelist to record this episode from the early days of Jesus’ ministry and yet, this brief story speaks volumes not only about Peter’s call to serve God but our own as well. Like Isaiah in our first reading, we are very reluctant to put our shoulder to the task, claiming the obvious excuse that we are not worthy. And like Peter, we too often brush Jesus off or tell him to “hit the road.” To some extent, these are natural responses. We all know that we are sinners and can parrot Peter’s confession before the Lord, “I am a sinful man.” But God is patient, a characteristic essential for anglers, who casts out his line and waits for something to happen.

That waiting on God’s part is our to say yes to his invitation to divine life. God is calling us constantly from the day of our birth. He is calling us to be good children as we begin to form our consciences; he calls us to be good students and to learn about the wonders of the universe he has created; he calls us to build healthy, positive relationships with one another. God calls us into an intimate relationship with him through a sacramental life that nourishes us and draws us close to him through marriage and family life or as individuals who embrace a life of celibacy and or call the Holy Orders. God calls us into service to one another by the vocations that we choose: fireman, lawyer, teacher, janitor, soldier or those who profess vows as religious sisters or brothers, or as clergy be it as priest or deacon. We are all called to a specific task God has for us also, a task that only we can fulfill. And, our calling is not a one-time event. We are called each and every moment to live our lives faithfully by doing those things we have been called to do. We are especially called to be the best mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, and friends we can be to one another, for family is a calling that is special to God. It is through family life that God reveals the dynamic love of the Holy Trinity and enables us to share in God’s divine essence.

Today we reflect on the call that we have received from God and thank him for the love he has for each and every one of us. Yes, we are unworthy and we know that, but so does God. And do you know what? He doesn’t care! He loves us beyond our sinfulness, and he desires that we love him in return. And so, as we look forward to another day, another precious gift from God, let us keep these words from St. Paul to the Ephesians in our thoughts:

“I, then, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received.” Eph: 4:1.

Enjoy the day!
Deacon Tom

Image credit: Miraculous draught of fishes by Raphael

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time_B - Find the Joy_020721

Deacon Tom Writes,

“Find the Joy”

 

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

Have you ever heard the expression, “The more things change, the more they remain the same”? For many of us life is extremely hard or as Job says, “life is a drudgery”. Those repetitive demands that go into daily family life…the laundry, cooking and cleaning, the shopping, the commuting to work, the homework…taking care of children or parents or both, day in and day out can become exhausting and easily wear us out. These essential activities may even become boring! We wake up and then rush into the demands of the day. At night we go to sleep, or try to, only to have the alarm go off in the morning so we can start all over again, like Bill Murray in the movie, “Groundhogs Day”. These daily activities become so routine and ordinary they may leave us with a sense of being “unfulfilled”.

It doesn’t have to be this way! Sure, we all get stuck in a rut at times. We all fall victim to feeling unappreciated and sense that our lives are unfulfilled, empty or that we will “never see happiness again”. It is understandable how this happens. We are busy people. We have responsibilities. We carry around our “to-do” lists on our iPhones and tablets or on little pieces of paper in our pockets. We do all those big and little things to care of our families, provide for our loved ones, for their immediate needs like food, clothing, shelter and for future needs, like college for the kids or retirement for ourselves. Busy…Busy…. Busy, yet so dull and ordinary!!!

Running constant four-minute miles will begin to take its toll and get us asking ourselves if it’s all worth it, or worse, wondering at some point along the way if, like Job, we will ever find happiness again.

When we find ourselves with too much to do and feel we are missing out on the simple joys and happiness of life that should be a “red flag” alerting us that we need to take some precious minutes for ourselves. See how Jesus revitalizes himself in today’s Gospel. With the crowds now seeking him out and his celebrity status growing, Jesus “rising very early before dawn…he went off to a deserted place, where he prayed”.

Jesus responds to the demands others place upon him by withdrawing into the solitude of prayer. Prayer is one of those activities that will reenergize our spirits and keep us from falling into a life of drudgery. Prayer, meditation, spending quiet time with Jesus routinely is therapeutic. Prayer validates our reason for being… gives us time and space to hear God’s plans for us…gives us the courage to set out in the direction he wants us to go. Prayer even helps us get our priorities straight, helping us let go of some of those activities we “think” are essential. 

The Covid-19 pandemic has only multiplied the complexities of our lives raising the high water mark of our anxieties and fears, for some, that is. We are in troubled times but we don’t have to be troubled people. Prayer will help us discern God’s plan in all the events, activities, demands and even the worries and fears that we face each day and gives us a clear vision of how we should face our daily challenges and obligations without being overwhelmed. If we remain faithful in our prayer life, like Jesus, we will find the joy He promised us so that, in this life, we may find joy… and out joy may be complete (Jn 15:11).

Enjoy the day!!

Deacon Tom 

Image credit: www.123rf.comOY. Magnifying glass