Mark 1: 14-20
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”
As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him.
As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Answering the Call to Serve
After the sudden deaths of my sister and father, I resolved to respect the time I had left to live. There was no more room for procrastinating and shrinking due to insecurities about how I was to serve God fully. These desires soon led me to explore and identify my God-given spiritual gifts that invited me to faithfully trust in my belovedness.
Yesterday’s Gospel featured the beloved John the Baptist in the flow of joyously serving others by baptizing all who came to him. He speaks with confidence as he carefully distinguishes what he has been called to do and what Jesus will do. John isn’t longing to be Jesus. His awareness of his giftedness leaves no room for comparisons. Each of us has been created to be channels of God’s love, peace and joy so there’s no time to pine for each other’s giftedness. John’s timely explanation of his and Jesus’s call is lovingly wrapped in a blanket of abundant joy! This continues with today’s call of the first disciples: Simon, Andrew, James, and John.
In First Belong to God, Pope Francis reminds us that a clear indicator of grace is apostolic joy that overflows and cannot be contained. The apostolic essence of Ignatian spirituality invites us to be men and women for others in this same spirit of abundance. May we pray for the grace to prayerfully explore our call and our charisms to fulfill our Divine assignments to others.
—Lori Stanley is the Executive Director at Loyola Institute for Spirituality in Orange, California. She has a MA in Pastoral Theology with a concentration in Spiritual Direction from Loyola Marymount University. She serves on the boards of the LMU Center for Religion and Spirituality and of Ignatian Ministries.
Prayer
Good and gracious God, give me the grace to listen and to watch for your active presence in my life. Increase my desire to use my time respectfully as I explore and identify the charisms that you’ve placed in me to serve others. Please grace me with the confidence of John so that I may actively answer my Divine call joyfully. Amen.
—Lori Stanley
Pray with the Pope
The Holy Father’s Monthly Prayer Intentions Brought to you by Apostleship of Prayer the first Friday of each month.