The Invitation

Now and then our families receive invitations to a number of things, like, weddings, baptisms, confirmations, out to dinner, go to the movies and I am sure you can think of many more opportunities to be with your families or friends for special occasions.

However, the big question is "Do I go or don't I"?  If it's a family decision, "Do we go or don't we?" The next step is the debate.  Who sent the invitation?  Who will be there?  Do I have to go?  Do I want to go?  After a period of time a decision is made to go or not.  Now the next step is to answer the RSVP.



The scriptures of this past Sunday are seemingly geared to help us realize the most important invitation to everyone of us.  Like Samuel, we are all called by name.  Some of us are called when we are very young, some of us are called when we least expect it and some of us for whatever reason do not hear the call or the invitation until we settle down a bit and begin to ask ourselves, "How come I'm a nervous wreck?  Why am I afraid?  What am I afraid of?  Of course there are a variety of answers.  The main one being, there are too many distractions in our lives.  For instance, TV, newspapers, cell phones, computers, cars, radios even talking heads,  noise never seems to stop and we seem to be addicted to being connected by modern technology.

The invitation is to stop for a while, to go to a quiet place and listen to the quiet.  It is surprising how sitting still without distractions for a short period of time can reduce anxiety and enjoy the peace and quiet.

This is how a person finds himself or herself within and not somewhere else.  Silence is one way to hear Jesus say,"What are you looking for?"  We can say, "Where are you staying?"  He will let us know without doubt, where he is, answer what we are looking for and at the same time reveal to us who we really are.

How we respond to the invitation to follow Jesus, is how our talents can be made available to all people and not just for a select few, because, I believe, Jesus came to teach us how to be human and not to be little gods. If we respond with a "YES" our lives can and will take on a new direction and everything we do will be out of love of God and our neighbor.

May we continue to grow in His love, peace and joy.

Dcn. R.D.  LEMAY