The scriptures direct our hearts to reflect on each of our call to service.  In our first reading from we hear from the prophet Isaiah that the people who were in darkness, whose lives where in gloom he says “You have brought them abundant joy
and great rejoicing,”.   As we reflect on call we see that in our responding to be God’s instruments we are a cause for joy and rejoicing in those whose lives have known great hardship and suffering.

Being called reminds us that our lives are truly meant to live for others.  You might say, “But I want to be happy” or “I want to be rich” or you may even think “Isn’t life all about me getting what I want to make me happy”?   Our lives are meant for service and seeking the best for others.   We are called to proclaim to Gospel of the love of Jesus Christ as we reach out to others and connect with them.

In todays Gospel from Matthew chapter 4 we find Jesus Proclaiming the Kingdom of God and calling the people to repentance.  Jesus begins His ministry by  calling His disciples.  What strikes me about Matthews account of the call is their immediate response.  Jesus chooses His disciples and calls them to come and follow Him.   They drop what they are doing  and step away from their livelihood of fishing and take up a new life in following Jesus.

Jesus is choosing these men for the purpose of the proclamation of the Gospel.   He has a plan and direction that is to is to transform the lives of the poor, the suffering those living in pain, “He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.

“Each of us is called to be about the transformation and restoration of the lives of those living on the peripheries, the suffering and those on the margins.  God continues to use us to bring joy to the lives of others.  Having reached out to our neighborhood we are now able to extend our service to others in need. We have been approached to serve and offer Mass and support to Pinellas Hope.  We encourage all who are willing to allow the Lord to Choose them and to call them to Service by sharing the love of God with those we encounter.   Allow the Lord to use you to bring joy and be the cause for rejoicing for many who find themselves in darkness and gloom.

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