2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Our readings for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time are:

1. Isaiah 49:3, 5-6
   
2. Psalms 40: 2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10
   
3. 1 Corinthians 1: 1-3
   
4. John 1: 29-34
   

• Be the glory
  
• In some circles, it is believed that God shows His favor on His elect by showering them with clear blessings such as long life, prosperity, teenagers who actually listen to them and other amazing things.  Another perspective might be that God's intervention consists largely of helping us get through whatever challenges we have before us, one day at a time.  But what if there's more.  What if the glory of God is for His children to thrive and flourish?
• What are some things that you do that make you feel most alive, most "on"?
• Do you think that God called you to that?
• Do you think that God would ever ask you to do something that did not make you grow, mature, thrive?
• What about your life shows the glory of God lately?
  

• Being attentive
  
• Obedience to God goes beyond merely avoiding sin.  Yet it seems that we don't often get an opportunity to explore ways in which God's call comes to us.
• How does God make His will for you known to you?
• Do you think that we get second chances to do God's will if we are slow to obey?
• Do you think that any of us can really tell anyone else what God's will might be for them?
• Does discernment have to be hard?
  

• Father make me holy
  
• Fr. Peter used to declare that to be happy, we needed to be holy.  Holiness comes of dedication to God.  Dedication simply means that our lives in their entirety have just one purpose.
• How would you describe that purpose in your case?
• Do we all have the same purpose to one extent or another?
• If that is your purpose, how are you living that out?
• Where do you need help living out God's purpose for you?
  

• Pointing the way
  
• Ignatian spiritual direction seeks to help the one seeking direction to hear the voice of the Spirit in their lives, and to follow that direction.  The director does not give advice, nor tell the directee what they should do.  In a sense, we should all seek to do that for each other as friends and companions along the way.
• Who are some of the people in the vast armada of folks who have passed through your life who have pointed you towards God?
• How did they accomplish that?
• Who would you like to point to God?
• How do you see that happening?
• What help would you need?
  

• Preparation for Reconciliation
  

1. Where is God calling me towards more, deeper, vibrant life?
   
2. Where do I need to be discerning today?
   
3. How dedicated am I?
   
4. Where can I be the Beauty of God to someone else?
   

I Come to Do Your Will

 The old man walked with a limp, but he didn't seem to mind.
His worn out body somehow keeping him good company
Even though he always walked with purpose.
He always seemed to be in the right town when needed the most.

He answered to many names, but the one he treasured most
Was simply "paz", short for hombre de paz, man of peace.
Wherever he went word soon got around the village,
Care worn and harried, they would seek him out.

Some, often the older ones, just wanted to be near him.
The younger ones would seek to discuss, and debate with him,
And no matter how excited they became with their own speech
Hombre de paz would listen, patiently, and lovingly.

"Paz", one old man said.  "All my life, I have sought to do good.
To be good, to serve a higher purpose.
But I look back at my life, and all I see are dust and ashes.
Nothing that I have put my hand to has prospered.  And now I am all but dead."

Paz looked on his brother with eyes of compassion, and he asked
"But why did you give yourself away like that?
Surely you must have had some goal in mind, some grand outcome?"
The old man answered "Nothing like that.  Not at all.

In fact, looking back, I realize that any act of kindness,
Any outreach of generosity that I poured myself into,
Was just doing what needed to be done at the time,
Serving those who needed a hand.  Nothing grand, nothing great."

Paz closed his eyes, breathed deeply and sighed
"Your giving without looking for a return,
Your willingness to let circumstances and needs teach you,
Your generosity are all accomplishment enough.  All that you lack is trust."

Scarcely had he finished when a young woman, full of life and purpose asked
"What must I do, what must I be, to be great, to be radiant, to be an inspiration?
I am willing to give my all, without reservation or fear."
Paz looked her in the eye, and found great love simmering there.

He returned that love in kind and said
"Seek first and always the gift of humility
That ambition may not blind you to the little things all around you
The whispers of God calling you to lift up His forgotten ones.

Know that you are precious, lovely, loved, and adored.
That you are, and have been from eternity worth dying for.
Learn to treat yourself with the care and tenderness of God.
And the way before you will become clearer one step at a time."

Shalom!