We Are Being Called

We Are Being Called
Based on the readings for Sunday May 28, 2006
Acts 1:15-26; Psalm 102, 1John 4:11-16; John 17:11-19
“Holy Father, keep those you have given me true to your name, so that they will be one of us.”, these words of Jesus found in the Gospel of John were and are the prayer Jesus offered to His Almighty Father. Jesus is still uttering these words on our behalf today. We are being called to be true to the teachings Jesus gave us and to live them in our everyday lives. The prayer finishes with these words, “As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world, and for their sake I consecrated myself so that they too may be consecrated in truth”
Where do we find the truth Jesus spoke of? We find it in Holy Scripture. We find it clearly explained in the second reading of the day. John tells us “God has loved us so much; we too should love one another. No one has ever seen God; but as long as we love one another, God will live in us and His love will be complete in us. ”
John goes on to say, “If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him, and he in God. ….God is Love”.
Could this be any clearer? Why must we put all sorts of restrictions on the truth of Christ?
We are called to live in God, to live as Jesus instructed us, in other words to abhor degradation, hatred, violence, prejudice and war. The only war we should be carrying out is the war against Satan and the minions of Satan. Today we see the fruits of Satan’s temptations all around us. We even see it in the actions of some who claim to represent Jesus Christ. We see it in those who minds are closed to exploring the truth and accept everything that is fed to them by mere mortals. Jesus said; “Seek and you will find” To seek means to explore, to open yourself up and reflect on the historical truths. Scripture MUST be taken in light of the customs and times in which it was written. We need to ask ourselves, If Jesus were on earth today what role would he have given to woman. It is very clear to me, considering how much respect and acknowledgement He had for the woman we know of who faithfully followed him , even when the other disciples except for John went and hid themselves, Woman would have had a much more prominent role in the ministry. We know that all of the apostles were married, and for centuries those who succeeded the apostles were also married, so why are they prevented from doing so today? That answer is easy, MONEY.
You and I have been called by God, to live a life that reflects the teachings of Jesus. The teachings of Christ, could not be clearer. LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU. When you love someone, you do not, under any circumstances, want to be the cause of pain and suffering. When you love someone, you try to shield them from harm. You gently advise them of their mistakes and guide them. If necessary you try to obtain healing for them. That is Love.
If today, we had more love for all God’s creatures and children the world would not be in the mess it is.
You and I are being called to actively live God’s love. We are being called to do all within our power to bring about a change in the attitudes that are causing so much pain and suffering in this world. Every tiny thing we do that makes progress in this call from God will bring us a deeper love for God and God will love us more and live within us giving us the strength we need to continue His work here on earth.
AMEN
Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA Mission Sts. Sergius and BacchusEmail: Mission_St_Sergius@msn.comWeb Site: www.missionstsergius.orgYahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistryMSN 360 Blog: http://missionstsergius.org/blog.htmlMSN Group Blog: http://missionstssergiusandbacchus.blogspot.com/