3 rd sunday – year a

23 rd January 2005

S: Good Morning. Today we are on about the calling of the Apostles and how Jesus calls each one of us where we are at.

B: Our Word of Life for today comes from the Gospel of St. Matthew

“Follow me and I will make you fishers of men”

These are words of Jesus spoken as he gathers together his 1 st group of disciples. Over the years these first disciples have had their image immortalized in stained glass windows in our churches and we might be forgiven for forgetting that these were very ordinary people with an ordinary way of life, who were prepared to follow Jesus.

S: I guess today Brenda if it was you or I that Jesus was calling as disciples, the scripture that people would be reading would read something like “walking by the shopping centre Jesus saw Brenda, either wondering through crowded aisles or filling out her tax forms or completing a lottery slip,” It’s kind of unnerving isn’t it? Not to mention to have your image in stained glass windows in churches all over the world. It’d be kind of weird, but the point is that Jesus met and called people, where they were at and I guess where most of us are at, is far from the exotic.

B: In today’s Gospel, we see Jesus launch his mission, it would appear that he was a colossal success, everyone he called, dropped what they were at and followed. Obviously people were attracted to him & his message, and it must have been a message of great joy and trust. In fact we know it is a great message of joy and trust but maybe sometimes we lose sight of the ‘joy’ that there is in being Christian.

So let’s not be afraid to celebrate our faith.

S: Our reflection this morning is taken from the writings of St. Francis de Sales whose feast day it is tomorrow.

Have No Fear for what tomorrow may bring.

The same loving God who cares for you today

will take care of you tomorrow and every day.

God will either shield you from suffering or

Give you unfailing strength to bear it.

Be at peace, then, and put aside all

Anxious thoughts and imaginations.

B: Just before we go I would like to remind you of an ecumenical Prayer Service will take place this evening in St. Mary’s Cathedral at 8pm. This service is part of the week of prayer for Church Unity and all are welcome.

You have been listening to ‘Just a Thought’ with Brenda Cribbin

S: and Seamus Madigan. We can be contacted through the Limerick Diocesan Offices at 66 O’ Connell Street. Remember you can also print out your own copy of this thought by clicking on www.limerickdiocese.org

B: We look forward to your company again next week, in the meantime, take care.

S & B: BYEEE

© Copyright Diocese of Limerick 1991-2007 - Disclaimer