Come and set a spell

The invitation that Jesus offers today is to follow him.  One by one people find a reason to delay their decision, and stand off to the side.  Jesus' words are firm, the one who keeps looking back after deciding to follow him, are not ready for the Kingdom.  Throughout the sacred scripture we see Jesus as more of a mentor and guide than a fiery evangelist.  Jesus sits and dines with people, he holds their hands, and places the choice of the cross before them.  His tough love stance calls us to mull over our faith and the faith choices that we make.  But in all of this there is always a matter of discernment.

Jesus shows us a Church in mission.  Our journey is not only a place whereas we become acquainted  with the Kingdom of God, but it is also a place where our faithful response is a living testimony for others.  To be sure the cross is a messy entity and is not always easy to deal with.  We can be minister one day and ministered to the next. 


In the Vatican II documents on the Church in the Modern World, Laity, and in some of the writings by John Paul II, on the nature of the Church, there is this common theme that we are growing and learning together.  Part of that process is that we are engaged in the development of our spiritual lives by learning and having a spiritual life.  In my parish I have teachers and catechists whom I never see at church.  How can you be engaged in catechesis if you are not being nourished?  The Vatican II document on the laity outlines six or seven precepts that the laity participate in as a faithful disciple.

We had a priest at seminary who commented that whenever he went to another priests' home, he would browse through their bookshelf to see when they died.  What he meant was that if there were no current books or journals around, the priest as a spiritual leader and servant of the people must have died.  It is vitally important to be able to journey with one another.  Our Church is not about lone rangers.  At baptism we are united to each other and have a responsibility to support and encourage one another.  Sometimes we are the teacher and at other times we are the learner.  The cross is the great equalizer.

While I have thought about having a support group for Bears fans, think about the needs and concerns in our parish family.  We could have small groups to study scripture, support the grieving, reflect on Church social teachings, and participate in the life of the parish.  It is amazing the wonderful things that can happen when we sit around a table and share bread and wine.