to: all of my friends
from: Father Bill Muench
No that is not me – but I did go skiing on Wednesday – first time out this year – up to Mount Tremblant with Fathers Peter, Dick and Vinny. That morning was rather cold – I mean cold – but it did warm up during the day. These old muscles rebelled at all of the activity – but it turned out to be a fun day – great to be out of doors – and the day was beautiful – it truly felt good – although the next day was filled with aches and pains. I stayed up with the others for a couple of hours – but then decided to go off on my own pace on a nice easy slope – at one point, I came up to the chair lift at the same time as a children’s class – and the instructor asked if one of the children could ride up with me – and I had the most delightful conversation with an 8 year old from Connecticut – the ride ended much too soon. I am not certain I will get out again – but I did enjoy that day at Tremblant.
The Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The overpowering immensity of divine holiness – God’s see so much in each of us – even we don’t – God’s message to us today – you don’t know how great you are – how great you can be – how much you can accomplish – with Jesus you can change the world. Too often – when we stand before the goodness of God – we feel in adequate and sinful – yet, the Lord invites us into the immensity of God’s love – God’s forgiveness – God’s call for us to become greater than we can begin to imagine for ourselves.
So this Sunday’s Scriptures give us three examples: from the Old Testament, Isaiah – the great prophet of the Old Testament – who initially stood before the Lord and prayed, “I am a man of unclean lips” – I cannot accomplish anything for God --- St. Paul, “I am the least of the apostles – not fit to be called an apostle – I persecuted the Church of God”---and St. Peter, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”
But God was not deterred – he saw what he was looking for – as he constantly does with each of us – despite our inadequacies – and our poor opinion of ourselves – the mission is never dependent upon the worthiness of the minister but upon God’s grace – God can and does accomplish so much – even with the weakest of disciples, of priests.
I know enumerable stories of wonderful and successful priests, Sisters, lay ministers and missionaries – who in worldly standards were considered lacking in ability and talent – but developed into world changing disciples of the Lord – through the grace and love of God.
I remember a shy priest, a poor speaker – actually, very poor – but he spoke with the love of God – he spoke to the heart of his people – and he touched so many – and in that way changed the world. ---- I remember a friend – a teacher – who actually was not very talented – and yet touched students in a wonderful way – I believe because she was truly filled with the love of the Lord.
Consider our Scriptural examples – Isaiah – he is touched by the seraphim – and lead to God’s holiness – he experiences the purging of his sins – becomes brave in God’s grace – “Here I am, Lord, send me.”
Peter – all about fish – he is tired, cranky, it has been a poor night – first Jesus interrupts his plans by asking to teach from his boat – and then suggests that they go back out fishing – they fish with nets – the nets have been hauled in and cleaned – and Jesus suggests they go back to work – hard work – and they catch a huge haul – and Peter discovers something wonderful about Jesus – and immediately join in Jesus’ mission. – Peter discovered something special about himself.
Paul – accepts that it is by the grace of God that he is what he is – he surrenders to God’s power – and forgiveness and love – “God’s grace in me has not been ineffective” – such a conversion – his whole past is reversed – he is now invited into the excitement of the following of the Lord – a new person with a new mission.
God was not deterred – he saw what he was looking for – God sees something in each one of us – if we could just allow ourselves to be seized by the grace of God – God longs to use the gifts and skills we have already – and put them to us – by the Lord – in a new way – in God’s way – in the mission of the Lord.
God needs you – God calls you – open your heart to the excitement of following the Lord.
LET US PRAY
Almighty God, my Father – I am ready, Lord – touch my life with your grace and love – show me how I can best serve you – and give me the wisdom and boldness to follow. This is my prayer. Amen.
Please join me as we say together the Lord’s Prayer.
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