Gospel Reflections for January 20, 2018
Why leave a perfectly good job!
What would make professional fisherman abandon fishing and follow Jesus into a new career as Apostles? Why leave a perfectly good job? Well, they must have felt the new career was somehow better than the old!
I am sure they had already known Jesus for some time. After all, they were neighbors in the small fishing village of Capernaum, and must have seen him teaching in the local synagogue and talking with friends; so Jesus was familiar to them.
They knew He was like John the Baptist, and even though John had been arrested by King Herod, Jesus continued to speak with remarkable bravery and courage. Here was a person without fear who seemed confident in everything He did. There was something about Jesus that was enough to switch jobs. I think they heard in Jesus the authentic voice of God.
They also heard Jesus say, “I will make you fishers of…” Jesus Himself would be their “trainer” in their new job as Apostles. They could not possibly know how to do it, but knew Jesus would teach them, and that was enough for them to follow. I often wonder if they ever asked why Jesus called them! After all, they had not yet done anything worthy of such a calling. They did not yet know yet …as you do, that God loves you not only before you are worthy, but also before you were even born!
This month is the 45th anniversary of the 1973 decision that allowed the ending of lives not yet born. All of them would have had some role to play in our world. Our prayers continue for them and their families.
God’s unconditional love is still available to you no matter what your life is like now or what it has been in the past. Jesus is still here to “train” you to be His disciple. Why not decide now to let him mold you into His follower …just as those fishermen did.
This weekend, we will distribute our new 2018 University Series Catalogs, offering 52 adult education sessions on our faith, held in Whittier at St. Bruno, St. Mary, and Beatitudes parishes. We also have 13 parishes participating in the Ventura County University Series. Many opportunities to let God mold you!
What Jesus has to offer is always better than anything you can devise for yourself. It is always a good decision to follow Him.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Beautiful commentary, beautiful Jesus, beautiful Faith!! Loveeeeee God molding Dick and me and our loving family!!!!! It is a precious life with Jesus living in our hearts and leading us to love others and leading us to a Heaven of love!!! our Jesus, our Mary, our Faith and life, the most precious gifts given to us!!! Love your University series which inspires us to live in love and love others!!! We will look so forward to seeing you at the University series!!!!! Have a beautiful day in Jesus’ and our Blessed Mother’s Divine love of joy!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeee, franca and Dick
Thank you!
“lives not yet born”–I have never heard it put like that. It is an expression that makes you think. I was very impressed to see the large crowd of Right to Life walkers in the Capital yesterday. I also was glad to hear the President’s remarks in support of right to life.
Yes, amazing and wonderful to see this Administrations support for the Pro-Life movement.
Dear Father Dave,
Thank you so much for your insightful comments on this Sunday’s Gospel.
The apostles probably surprised themselves when they followed Jesus! As you stated, they must have seen and felt His authentic presence. What an enormous gift.
God’s unconditional love is so magnificent that it’s almost hard to grasp. There have been times in my life, particularly in difficult moments, when I’ve experienced that love. It was like being wrapped in warmth, consoled, and then filled with hope.
Yes, prayers for “lives not yet born” and their families. I, too, was happy to hear and see President Trump and Vice President Pence support right to life.
God bless you.
Kathleen
Well said!
You do have a great gift for putting things in writing. Very inspiring.
These days when things are hard for what is going on in our country, a lady today said when things get hard she said she tried to do things as Corey Ten Boom said when she was in the consecration camp and things looked tough she just looked up and kept that joy. We have to try to do that with this woman’s rights issues and abortion. It isn’t easy to be positive in a stressful world. Even the clouds are beautiful.
On the Gospel message you reminded us that we are still calle3d and all we need to do is keep focused on the Lord and seek His direction.
Nice reference to Corey Ten Boom, a true hero of our time.
Hi Fr. Dave,
Are there DVD’s on sale for the University Series 2018, after Holy Week?
Dee
After trying it for a few years, we no longer make dvd’s of the talks anymore. The University Series remains an event that is experienced in person. I understand that they can be convenient, but we wanted to remain an “in person” event. Thanks, however, for asking. I can understand how they can sometimes be helpful.