January 27, 2007

Dear friends in life and in ministry . . .

A really full Saturday has thankfully chilled into a relatively quiet Sunday afternoon. On most Sunday's (at least in the Fall and Winter) a football game plays in the background as I write this weekly e-mail to friends and family. But, since the football season and play-offs have ended and we are in that hype filled week preceding the Super Bowl, it's Primary Election coverage that is providing background noise as I write to you.

My fascination with politics provides an introduction to the attached homily which I presented this weekend at both St. Mary's, Bath and St. Gabriel's, Hammondsport. The homily's inspiration is Paul's instructions to the Corinthians to put aside their divisions and make Christ the center of their life.

A Friend Enters the Light
Another friend entered eternal life this past week. Carol Babcock died on Friday afternoon after a very brief fight with cancer. For many years, Carol supported her family as a waitress at the Lodge on the Green's restaurant in Painted Post, New York. Her daughter Jody Allen has been a friend since serving as a baby-sitter for my kids and a "non-singing" member of my Celebrate Life teen singing group in the late 70's - early 80's. I met with Carol just last week. She was tired and under the influence of some pain medication at the time, but we shared Holy Communion and spoke briefly about her readiness to join her husband Willoughby in heaven.

A prayer used during the Roman Catholic Vigil service reminds us that . . . "The ties of friendship and affection that knit us together during this life - do not unravel in death."

How blessed those whose love will never die. How blessed we are by the gift of Faith.

Sunday, January 27, 2008 Bulletin - Deciding to Follow Jesus

Today’s Gospel passage has Jesus asking Peter, Andrew, James and John to follow Him. I think it is remarkable that they immediately made their decision to follow Jesus and become “fishers of men.” I’ve often wondered how they could make such a rash judgment. I can’t imagine making such a decision without first talking it over with Pat. What did Peter’s wife have to say to her husband when he came home with plans to follow Jesus? That must have been quite a conversation. And how could John and James leave their father Zebedee’s fishing business? I’m sure that Zebedee was fit to be tied.

I’d say that either all four were really desperate for a change, or somehow they were able to recognize that this young rabbi Jesus as the Son of God. For when they saw Him, and when He asked them to follow, they were somehow convinced that to set off for a new life as disciple was the right decision.

When we make a decision, especially a life changing decision, we want to weigh the pros and cons to assure that our choices will be the correct ones. It is good and wise that we make informed decisions, especially when the lives and fortunes of others also will be effected. But at some point — especially when we have discerned that the invitation is from God — we need to make a commitment without delay.

At every Mass we also have a physical encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist. When the Eucharistic Minister says, “The Body of Christ” we are not given a long time to react to the statement. But it is more than a statement; it is an invitation to follow Jesus. Our instinctive “Amen” is like the reaction of Peter, Andrew, James and John. May each of our encounters with Jesus in the Eucharist be an opportunity to follow Him more closely.
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With Lent just around the corner, now would be an excellent time to reexamine our discernment of God’s call to a more personal relationship with his Son Jesus.

During Lent, our Spiritual Life Committee will present you with a variety of prayer and faith formation opportunities that will help us reach the goal of knowing, loving and following Jesus day by day. Next week we’ll also be publishing a listing of Lenten activities throughout the Central Steuben Catholic Parishes. Watch for it as an insert to our bulletin.

Have a good week. Serve one another well!

Deacon Ray

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Bulletin: January 27th, 2008

A03ORD - Divided Hearts