My dear friends in Christ,
If Jesus came into our presence today proclaiming the Gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel,” what would your reaction be? If Jesus saw you and invited you to follow Him, would you? What impresses me about Simon and Andrew is that they respond without hesitation. They abandon their nets, leave the family business behind and follow Jesus. What caused them to act so quickly? Was it the proclamation Jesus has just made that “the Kingdom of God is at hand?” Did they believe He meant an earthly kingdom where they would be His chief advisors, or was it something else? Maybe it was Jesus’ call to repentance that touched them. They were ordinary men who may have seen in Jesus what we come to know when we are open to His mercy in the Word and in the Sacraments. It is in the midst of everyday life that Jesus calls you and me. Are we open to this call???
With the playoffs upon us in football, I thought I would explain a couple of plays: I like the “backfield in motion.” This is when the Ushers are getting ready to take up the collection. I’m not fond of “staying in the pocket” which is sometimes what happens to weekly donations and envelopes. I have not seen some of you in almost a year. Please continue to support Corpus Christi Church by sending in your donations and envelopes by mail and utilizing the on-line giving option on our website. I thank you for your continued support.
May God bless you all,
Father John