Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Friday, January 23rd, 2015

January 25, 2015

Third Sunday of Ordinary Time

Dear Parishioners,

There is an episode in Peanuts, by Charles Schultz, where Charlie Brown and his friends are playing baseball. Charlie Brown is at bat. The umpire calls, “Strike Three!” and Charlie Brown strikes out. “Rats!” he says, “I’ll never be a Big League player. All my life I’ve dreamed of being in the Big Leagues, but I just don’t have it.”

Lucy turns to console him and says, “Charlie Brown, you’re thinking too far ahead. You need to set yourself more on immediate goals.” Charlie Brown, looking perplexed, looks to Lucy and asks, “Immediate goals?” “Yes,” Lucy explains, “Start with the next inning when you go out to pitch. See if you can walk to the mound without falling down.”

We laugh at that, but there is a thread of truth in Lucy’s words. The first step toward fulfillment is taking an immediate step today. The disciples didn’t hesitate; they made a decision and took that first step. And from then on, their lives, not to mention the world, would be different.

It’s one thing to sit around and talk about the problems of the world, but it’s quite another to get involved and do something. We have to get our feet wet. We have to step up to the plate and get in the game. We have to spread our wings.

The fishermen were called . . . but how do we know if God is calling us? I believe this is a question that everyone asks. Will we get a phone call, an email or text message? I remember my own personal call to ministry. There was a constant “urging” that wouldn’t leave me alone; I resisted at first, but when I finally gave into it, my life totally changed. I left the business world and entered the seminary.

For me, it was a matter of listening to my mind and my heart. I had to be just as sensitive to my feelings as I was to my mind. I must admit, it didn’t always appear logical; I listened to my feelings of compassion for those who didn’t have God in their lives. I was sympathetic towards people who were complacent and unhappy. The feelings I had were both positive and negative.

Perhaps we know God is calling us when we are tuned in to our feelings. It could be those times when we genuinely feel for people who have some need. Or, perhaps its those times when we feel discontent and our lives don’t seem to be in sync with the world around us. We need a change but we are fearful of leaving where we are, because we are too comfortable and secure. Instead of spreading our wings, we hold back, afraid to fly.

What if the disciples had said “no” to Jesus? They could have said No thanks, we would rather be fishermen the rest of our lives. We are content to stay where we are. Let someone else take care of the needs of the world. But they did not do that; they left their nets and became disciples of Jesus.

The changes we make in our lives may not be as dramatic as that of the disciples. Nevertheless, following Jesus demands a decision to move in a new direction. It means spreading our wings, preparing ourselves for a new and meaningful adventure. Perhaps God is calling you but you are too busy and not listening. Perhaps you are only listening to your mind and not your heart.

I believe we all want lives that are meaningful and fulfilling. Everyone has some passion about some problem, some group or some unmet need. Do you hear God calling? Are you ready to follow? “Follow me,” Jesus said, “And I will make you fishers of men.”

Fr. Leonard+

Event Signup Forms
View Signup Forms