Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Family ties

     It is not uncommon for siblings to be involved in the family business.  Two examples are found in today's gospel from Matthew: James and John, the sons of Zebedee and Simon and his brother Andrew.  All were in the fishing business.  Both sets were invited by Jesus to follow him in a new venture, one that would change not what they did, but how they did it.  They would remain fishermen, but now they would be "fishers of men".  They were invited, through their relationship to Jesus, to expand their family into a "band of brothers (and sisters)", to work together to build up the larger family of God.  Today the Church honors Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, a seeker of truth who brought his brother to the Lord.

     Our Holy Father has been setting the stage for a "new evangelization" in the Church and the world.  The need to see the world community in the context of being invited to become the family of God, and extending that invitation, sharing that Good News, is paramount to what we are about in being "fishers of men".  In the 10th Chapter of Romans Paul reminds us that all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved ... but how can they call if they do not believe ... and how can they believe if they have not heard ... and how can they hear unless someone shares the Good News ... and how can they share unless they are sent.  Evangelization involves believing ... hearing ... preaching ... and going forth in the name of the Lord.

     This is OUR family business, and that business binds us together in the work of salvation.  We ARE family, and we are called to let people know that truth.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

     Also in Romans today is a beautiful passage that says: "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!"  It reminded me of an experience in my life some fifteen years ago almost to the day.  I had the privilege of a four month sabbatical program in the Fall of 1996.  I attended the School of Applied Theology (SAT) at the Dominican House in Berkeley, California.  In our closing liturgy in mid December, I had the honor of presenting the Gospel Book to the proclaimer.  The book was decked in festive ribbons and the presentation was accompanied by song.  After presenting the book, I was moved to kneel before the proclaimer and kiss the feet of the person, recalling those words above.  They are indeed "beautiful feet" devoted to the task of proclamation.  It was a moving moment for me, one that I cherish.

     In the last fifteen years much has transpired in terms of health and mobility in my life, and today, even if I could "get down" to kiss their feet, there is now way in God's goodness that I would ever get back on my feet.  Oh, the joys of youth ... and limitations of old age.  But, God continues to be good.

No comments:

Post a Comment