Monday, October 28, 2013

THE GOD WHO CALLS

1ST READING - Ephesians 2:19-22 (or Romans 8:12-17)

P S A L M - Psalm 19:2-3, 4-5 (or Psalm 68:2, 4, 6-7, 20-21)
R: Their message goes out through all the earth.
1 [2] The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmamentproclaims his handiwork. 2 [3] Day pours out the word to day, and night to night imparts knowledge. (R) 3 [4] Not a word nor a discourse whose voice is not heard; 4 [5] through all the earth their voice resounds, and to the ends of the world, their message. (R) 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
We praise you, O God, we acclaim you as Lord; the glorious company of Apostles praise you.
Luke 6:12-16 (or Luke 13:10-17)

SABBATH


We celebrate today the feast of the Apostles Simon and Jude. It is so comforting to know that the call of the first Apostles was preceded by Jesus “going to the mountain to pray, spending the night in communion with God” (v 12). This shows that the choice of the Apostles was a most personal and intimate act on Jesus’ part. It was an assurance as well of Jesus’ commitment to accompany them at every moment.

       This brought to mind an old story.

       Wishing to encourage her young son’s progress in playing the piano, a mother took her boy to a piano concert. After they were seated, the mother spotted a friend in the audience and went to greet her. Seizing the opportunity to explore the wonders of the concert hall, the little boy rose and eventually found his way through a door marked “No Admittance.” When the lights dimmed to signal the start of the concert, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing.

       When the curtains parted, the mother saw her child onstage sitting by the piano, innocently plinking out, “Twinkle, twinkle, little star...” At that moment, the great piano master went onstage, quickly approached the kid and whispered to him, “Don’t stop, keep on playing.” Then leaning over, the master reached down with his left hand and began filling in the basspart. Soon, his right arm reached around to the other side of the child and added a running obligato. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience.

       As with the little boy in the story, the Master will be there to encourage us. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy, but with the hand of the Master, our life’s work can be beautiful. So, listen carefully and hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear, telling you, “Don’t stop, keep on playing.” His strong arms will help you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces. It is God who calls. While God doesn’t always call the well-equipped, He always equips well those whom He calls.Fr. Joel O. Jason
REFLECTION QUESTION: Whenever you set out to do something, do you make sure you are spirit-led and inspired through prayer?
Lead kindly Thou, O Lord, and with Your grace I will bravely travel on. Amen.

Sts. Simon and Jude, Apostles, pray for us.

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