With all the division within the Church that we hear about today, St. Paul’s words to the Corinthians sound more like something Pope Leo might say to us today. We get so caught up in our differences of opinion and divisive interpretations that we forget the simple message Jesus came to bring us: “LOVE: love of God and love of neighbor”…. that simple!
Those first apostles caught it immediately. Jesus hadn’t even begun to teach them all they would need to know, and yet they followed Him WITHOUT HESITATION. I so often place myself in that day and time and wonder how I would respond, first to His words, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”, and then, “Come follow me.”
And yet, I do hear that so often in my life. Well, I hear the “Repent!” part often, but the call to follow Jesus? Not so much. I may recall hearing that perhaps once or twice at major decisions in my life, but I often miss the fact that I’ve actually heard it much more often. I just haven’t always listened to it. That calling happens each time God asks me to show God’s love to someone, each time I am called to go out of my way for someone, each time I am asked to be kind to someone …. each time … each time …!
Those callings can be very subtle sometimes, but God does speak to each of us, every day. Do I hear? Do I listen? Do I follow through? And, one more question posed in a reflection I recently read: Where might God be inviting me to grow, not by doing more, but by seeing differently?
Sister Catherine Fedewa, CSFN
