As I prepare to write this article for the Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time, I find myself thinking about conversion and change—something Fr. Kevin spoke about in his homily this past weekend. He talked about how the anger of the people toward Jesus and Jeremiah was because of the prophetic call to change our hearts—and change, acceptance of the new, and reconciliation are so hard for all of us. It makes many people angry-like those who wanted to throw Jesus from the cliff.
I watched the Super Bowl with my husband Jim, yesterday—something I never would have done a few short years ago—it just goes to show how much one can change…when they really want to, or for a good reason… I never could stand (or understand) football—now I can appreciate the expertise and commitment of the athletes’ work and abilities—the practice it takes to be some of the best at what they do. (If only I could get Jim to love opera as much as I do…)
Today is about the call of conversion. We hear Isaiah receive his call from God and his response is: “Here I am, send me!” We hear the Gospel story in which Jesus invites his disciples to become “fishers of men.” They leave all things they have and follow Him. In hearing these two readings we have the opportunity to compare our own response to the call of God. I think the start of answering any call is all about just showing up: a few years ago I made myself sit with my husband and watch a game I wasn’t interested in, started to learn about the game, enjoyed the company and ended up having a good time and looking forward to the next game we would share.
I guess the point of conversion and change is that the first step is to just show up.
Every day we are given the opportunity to get in the “game” of our faith—by just showing up! You might be surprised to find the game interesting, enjoy sharing it with others and actually end up looking forward to the next one. This is real conversion and change. As you listen to the “call” story today, consider it your personal ticket to the “game”—our faith—and you might be surprised by how much is won by simply showing up. Our faith and our response is the super bowl of salvation, and it may just be about showing up and then getting into—participating—in the game. See you in Church!
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
I watched the Super Bowl with my husband Jim, yesterday—something I never would have done a few short years ago—it just goes to show how much one can change…when they really want to, or for a good reason… I never could stand (or understand) football—now I can appreciate the expertise and commitment of the athletes’ work and abilities—the practice it takes to be some of the best at what they do. (If only I could get Jim to love opera as much as I do…)
Today is about the call of conversion. We hear Isaiah receive his call from God and his response is: “Here I am, send me!” We hear the Gospel story in which Jesus invites his disciples to become “fishers of men.” They leave all things they have and follow Him. In hearing these two readings we have the opportunity to compare our own response to the call of God. I think the start of answering any call is all about just showing up: a few years ago I made myself sit with my husband and watch a game I wasn’t interested in, started to learn about the game, enjoyed the company and ended up having a good time and looking forward to the next game we would share.
I guess the point of conversion and change is that the first step is to just show up.
Every day we are given the opportunity to get in the “game” of our faith—by just showing up! You might be surprised to find the game interesting, enjoy sharing it with others and actually end up looking forward to the next one. This is real conversion and change. As you listen to the “call” story today, consider it your personal ticket to the “game”—our faith—and you might be surprised by how much is won by simply showing up. Our faith and our response is the super bowl of salvation, and it may just be about showing up and then getting into—participating—in the game. See you in Church!
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
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