Happy National Vocation Awareness Week! May God continue to bless all of you on each of the paths that you have chosen. God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good!
This coming weekend I will be sharing with RCIA candidates about how to develop our relationship with Jesus. As I was preparing for it, Tuesday’s Gospel appeared, “…the banquet is ready, call all who are invited… yet they had excuses” (Luke 14:15-24).
This was no coincidence, for as I heard it, the reading took on a different twist. We are all invited to develop a relationship with Jesus, but do we accept the invitation? Just like the folks in the Gospel, there are so many excuses: I’m busy with my family; I can’t get up any earlier; I don’t know what or how to do it.
Believe it or not, the process is much simpler than you might think. All of us know how to develop a relationship with a new friend. First, we spend time with that person (and we always seem to find the time). Then, we talk with them and share ideas, likes, challenges, stories etc. To make sure we have time for each other, we set dates to meet repeatedly as well as call each other to keep in touch.
The same is true for developing our relationship with Jesus. We need to spend some time in developing that relationship. At first, it may be snippets of time growing into lengthier times. We come to know Jesus better by looking at the Gospel stories or perhaps joining a Bible study group. There are also short readings that can be found in bulletins, internet articles, and reflections that can be sent to us daily. All of these are aids to help us deepen our relationship. If we are fortunate enough, we may be able to attend a day or weekend retreat. The key is making time for Jesus like we would for a friend and discovering what helps us develop that relationship -- each of us is so different.
Why not look at Luke 14:15-24 and some of the excuses that were used? Do any of them sound familiar to you as you are asked to join the banquet given by God? You may not be buying property or oxen (might be a new iPhone or a new car) but I bet you can name the excuses! Why not go to the banquet?
Till next week,
Sister Theresita
