Gratitude & Thanksgiving

          Todays first reading was about the call of Jonah (Jon 3:1-5). The priest spoke about missed calls, answered calls, rejected calls... And the call of Christian discipleship.  The call is for us to be fishers of men. The call is persistent . We can run or hide from, or ignore the call But we can never escape it. The call is a privilege . It is to go along with Jesus to the end. Not only at the feast, but also at the cross . The call involves making decisions. It involves our everyday "yes"es It is to say yes in every small decision daily. Decisions to love , to forgive , to share It is a daily preparation for the big Yes. To allow ourselves to be purified . And to be joyful in acceptance. The Lord calls us each uniquely. The flower does not compete. It just blooms .  

  Every response is a surprise in today’s Gospel… John stood. Jesus walked  past.  John proclaimed “ Behold the Lamb of God " The two disciples heard.   They followed Jesus. Jesus turned and asked, “ What are you looking for? ” The disciples asked, “ Where are you going ?" Jesus said, “ Come and see. ” They went. They saw. They stayed. They influenced Simon. Jesus said, “Y ou are called Cephas. " How much of Andrew do I have in me? He heard He believed He followed He asked “where are you going” He went He stayed He influenced others Jesus passes my day - Do I see Him? Jesus asks what I need - What do I tell Him? Jesus invites me to go with Him - Do I go? Jesus looks hard at me - Do I meet His gaze? Jesus gives me a mission - Do I accept? Do I respond like Peter did? In all His flaws and imperfections.,,, I have in good times would I too in challenging times? Am I only a good time disciple or could I still be zealously and courageously  seeking and f...