Sunday January 15,2012

Second Sunday In Ordinary Time

This Sunday begins "Ordinary Time".  It is often misunderstood as being ordinary time as opposed  to extraordinary times like Christmas or Easter.  Actually it comes from the LatinTempus per annum which literally means, "Time through the year." Throughout Ordinary Time we remember how our faith touches our lives at every moment during the year.  And we begin “this time” and the new liturgical year recalling how each and every one of us is called to discipleship.  

I, like Samuel in today’s first reading received my calling to serve our Lord as a young man.  It was not though a great homily or presentation.  I was about to enter a new school, St. Christopher in West Covina, and my mother was inside the parish hall buying my new uniform while I was wandering in the parking lot.  My eyes drifted up to the parish house and to the living quarters of the priest and I heard a voice speak to my heart saying, "John, some day you will be living there."  Well, I have never been assigned to St. Christopher Church, but I soon realized that I was being called to become a priest.  God was speaking to me in the depths of my heart.

I now know that I was open to hear the voice of God first because I had a faith filled family that prayed at home and attended Mass on Sunday.  My parent’s authentic love for God touched my life and the life of my siblings.  There were also people like my second grade teacher, Sr. Vita, who inspired me through their faith filled life.  I did not respond immediately like Samuel in today’s First Reading, but after four years of silence about my calling, and after finally informing my mother of my intention, I entered the High School Seminary and began my spiritual journey towards priesthood.

Before Samuel heard the voice of God in today’s reading, he was inspired by the faith of people like his mother, Hannah.  He had models like Eli and others in the community who opened him to hearing God’s voice.  When God spoke to Samuel directly, Eli was there to help Samuel understand His calling and respond, "Speak, for your servant is listening." (1 Sam 3:10)

Just as Samuel had been nurtured in faith by those around him, John the Baptist came from a religious family and I am sure that Zachariah and Elizabeth were influential in his calling to become a prophet.  John preached and prepared the way for our Lord; but of all the sermons preached by John the Baptist, the most powerful was the one that he preaches to Andrew and another of his disciples, as he watched Jesus walk by and saying, "Behold the Lamb of God" (1:36). It will be through John that Andrew and the other disciple will be brought to Christ and it will be through Andrew that his brother Simon, who will be called Peter, will become a disciple.  Both will bring Jesus to Philip who will be invited to follow Christ and Philip in turn will approach Nathanael who will be recognized by Christ, and then in turn he will recognize Jesus for who He is.

The first time that I actually visited and spoke at Mary Star of the Sea Parish was about twenty-three years ago as a seminarian.  I must not have left too deep an impression on anyone because I have yet to have encountered anyone who remembers my talk on that day.  I and a woman religious spoke at all the Masses on vocations inviting people to partake in the "Called by name program."  We encouraged parishioners to invite young men or women whom they knew to think about a religious vocation.  The inspiration for this program was from today's Gospel’s understanding that we are all inspired through an individual calling. Each one of us has an effect on the lives of many, many other people.  We are often the instruments that Christ uses to draw people to Himself.

We are not anonymous Christians!  We have come to the Lord because others have inspired us; we have come to know and be known by Our Lord Jesus Christ.  This begins with our parents who first call us into relationship with Christ and continues throughout our lives as we are inspired by people of faith.  Others are also touched by us through our faith.  We do not come to Christ by some anonymous voice saying, “you there; have you come to know Jesus?”  We are each called individually and by our own personal name and drawn to the Lord who knows and loves us.

• I will be resuming my Church History Class this Monday, January 16 at 7 PM in Knights of Columbus Room.  We will be covering the 6th Century: the Middle Ages, St. Benedict, St. Gregory the Great and the evangelization of the pagan world.  All are welcome; you do not need to have attended the previous classes.
• I am always disappointed when people tell me that they did not call upon the priests to visit them when they were in the hospital or ill at home because they believe we are too busy.  Receiving the Sacrament of the Sick is a great gift of the Church and it should not be reserved for those who are dying, but more often for those who need physical or spiritual healing.  We are blessed that we have Fr. Christopher at our local Catholic hospital, but know that you may also call upon your parish if you or a loved one is in need of the Sacrament of Healing.
• Finally, I know that the new Blockbuster, “The Devil Inside” is going to bring about a new wave of fear of devil possession.  Please remember that nothing and no one can separate us from the Love of Christ and no evil can stand up to God’s Almighty love.

God bless,

Father John Provenza

Pastor