HOW GOD CALLS US?
INTRODUCTION
The title of my homily is, “How God Calls Us?”
How does God call us?
Yesterday morning I was sitting here at St. John Neumann in the front bench for the service in preparation for the Kids’ First Confession or Sacrament of Reconciliation. I found myself wondering, “What am I going to preach on tomorrow morning?” It was my distraction while trying to listen to something else. Smile.
I thought about the Sunday readings – especially the Gospel story of the call of Peter and Andrew, James and John, - as well as tomorrow being the feast of the call and conversion of Saul – who becomes Paul – and the question, “How God Calls Us?” hit me.
If you ever wonder where or how or when we priests get our ideas for sermons, that’s a glimpse.
I jotted down on a scrap of paper, “How God Calls Us?”
When I got back home to my desk at 11:30 AM and started working on a homily for today, two things had already hit me about this question on how God calls us.
First: you’re assuming that God calls people.
Secondly: you’re assuming that there is a God.
Assuming those two things, how does God call people?
TODAY’S GOSPEL
In today’s gospel, we have the stereotypical God call. Jesus walks up to two brothers, Peter and Andrew, and calls them. Then he walks along the beach and sees two more brothers, James and John, and calls them. They drop everything and follow Jesus.
OUR CALL TO BE A CHRISTIAN
Why are you here today? How and when were you called to be a Christian?
I am a Christian and a Catholic because my mom and dad were Catholic and their parents, and their parents, and their parents were Catholic. When I was doing a bit of genealogy, I got back as far as a guy named, "Edward the Carpenter" – and I assume that he was a Catholic there in Galway Bay, Ireland.
I assume people way, way back somewhere started going to church and people kept on going to church or dropping out and then coming back and I’m the beneficiary of their decisions.
As to the call to be a priest, I’ll find out after I die, whether this was the thing to do or not to do in my life – if that’s the way it works. I know a priest came into our classroom in grammar school and talked about the need for Redemptorist priests in Brazil and asked us to think about a vocation to choose such a life and I thought about it and that’s what I did. So far, so good – except for not getting to Brazil as I hoped.
I love Father Andrew Greeley’s “Call Story”. It's in his autobiography. It went something like this: someone came into his second or third grade classroom and asked, “Does anyone here want to be a priest?” He said, “I raised my hand and I’ve never taken it down.” *
CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL
Today, January 25th, is the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul – and Pope Benedict asks us to reflect upon his life and letters this year. Deacon Tony Norcio is offering a series of talks on St. Paul on Thursday evenings here at St. John Neumann’s. Check it out in the bulletin for details.
Christianity was off and running. Jews were joining this reform movement in Judaism – that Jesus started. A man named Saul, a Pharisee, didn’t like this dangerous trend and started persecuting Christians. On the road to Damascus in Syria this man, Saul, was hit by a bolt of something – fell to the ground – heard a voice, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” He answered, “Who are you?” And Saul, blinded for the moment, gets the insight that he is persecuting Christ. He discovers the followers of Christ are the Body of Christ – the Risen Christ – walking our world. Wow!
How did Saul or Paul get called? It was a very direct conversion – being knocked off one’s feet. Artists and preachers often add that he was knocked off his high horse – but the scriptures don’t have him on a horse. He might have been - but the message is that he had a major conversion, call, change, on his way to arrest Christians in Damascus.
In A.A. – Alcoholics Anonymous – and the many 12 Step programs that use its methodology, there is the saying, "You have to hit bottom – before you can stop hitting the bottle." Does it come from this story of Paul? I don’t know. But many people only change, only hear God’s call, when they hit bottom big time.
HOW DO PEOPLE HEAR GOD’S CALL?
Some people hear God’s call dramatically. Some people hear God’s call slowly? Some people hear God’s call without even knowing it’s happening – and their life changes and grows quite gradually.
How do you hear God’s call?
The big message I’m hearing in spirituality for today is adult religion – having an adult relationship with God – and for the Christian – an adult relationship with Jesus.
People reading the Gospels see Jesus walking into their lives – knocking at their door – sitting down to table with them – and they have heart to heart talks with him. I am the Pharisee. I am the blind, the lame, or the deaf - or all three. I am the rock thrower. I am the woman at the well. I am the one caught in adultery. I am the one who is paralyzed. I am the one who has to forgive and be forgiven 70 times 7 times.
Looking at your life, when have you experienced God’s presence? God’s call? When do you have time to sit down with Jesus?
The Religious Education folks in every parish hope that parents who bring their kids for First Confession and First Communion – also get wind of God’s word.
Yesterday I’m sitting here hoping and saying to myself, “Okay parents you are here this Saturday morning. I hope you’ll be here tomorrow – Sunday morning.”
WEDDINGS AND FUNERALS
I was not a parish priest from 1969 till I came here to Annapolis in August of 2002.
St. Mary's has been a wonderful experience – great people – great parish. Of course we have to listen to the Gospel a lot more – and grow a lot more – and conversion is a lifetime experience.
As to God’s calls – in the last six years I have heard at least 50 times the following. Someone is here for a wedding or a funeral from Chicago or Boston, Virginia or Nevada, and they say after the funeral or wedding, “Thank you for the nice service. I guess I got to get back to church.” Jewish folks have also said that to me. I even got two offers to be a rabbi. That moment makes all the hard work of preparing a wedding or funeral homily and service worth while.
We work. God gives the increase. [Cf. 1 Corinthians 3: 5-9]
HOSPITALS AND DOOR BELLS
Father Joseph McManus, whom I was stationed with in New Jersey in a retreat house around 1970, liked being a parish priest much more than working in a retreat house. Joe is buried in our cemetery in the back lawn of St. Mary’s on Duke of Gloucester Street. I’ve stood over his grave many times. I find that's one way God talks to me – as well as the person whose grave I'm standing on. I read those numbers on tombstones. I wonder about those who have died. I find standing on cemetery ground to be standing on holy ground.
Joe McManus often talked about the importance of hospital ministry as a priest – that the key folks were not the person in the hospital bed – but the spouse and the family of the sick person. He said a hospital is a great place where God speaks to lots of people. How about you? Have you heard God’s call when loved ones got sick and / or died? Today's second reading has those very intriguing words: "... the time is running out." The world hasn't come to an end - like various people in the Early Church expected - but we run out of time. That is to be expected.
Joe also said that Jesus often rang door bells in the skin of the poor looking for help. This parish is one of the best parishes I’ve seen for the generosity of people putting money in the poor box. We also have a great group of parishioners who serve the poor as part of the St. Vincent de Paul team - interviewing, listening, helping the poor in our name with great love, respect and care.
READING AND WRITING
I started writing in the 8th grade – stream of consciousness writing – a la James Joyce writing – long before I heard of James Joyce. I did it for laughs as well as for the joy of writing.
Without knowing it, I was to slowly discover that I wanted to not only be a priest, but also a writer. And both were very possible as priest. I’m finding less and less time for writing the longer I am here – but people are more important than words. That’s obvious. However, I jot down thoughts from this and that while experiencing people and situations here in Annapolis – so that when my legs go – but I hope before dementia sets in, I’ll have lots of notes to do some more writing.
I want to do that because I have found God speaks to me through writing – and I’ve had folks write and tell me that something I wrote helped them. That’s enough for me.
I also have discovered that God speaks to me through reading good stuff. I also would like more time for reading.
How does God speak to you?
Read any good books lately – novels – non-fiction – what have you?
SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER
And obviously, reading scripture and praying with scripture is a classic way God speaks to so many of us. I’m blessed as priest with the opportunity over and over again to preach. That means I have to sit down with the readings for each Mass and let them speak to me.
For instance, today’s first reading from the Prophet Jonah triggers so many powerful thoughts. Jonah was called “The Reluctant Prophet”. When God called him to preach in Nineveh he got on a boat and headed the other way – but finally God forced him to preach in Nineveh. Surprise! People heard the word of God and changed dramatically.
I pinch myself for all the places I have been in the United States – never Brazil – where I had to a chance to preach – the 8 and ½ years I was on the road before I came here to Annapolis – plus 14 years in two different retreat houses – where people came to pray and hear the call of God. Thank You, God. Thank You, God.
CONCLUSION
How does God speak to you?
P.S. I’m trying to reach you through this homily. Are you listening? Are you praying? God is speaking. God is calling you. God is challenging you. "Shush!" [Put finger to lip] Listen. Amen.
Why are you here today? How and when were you called to be a Christian?
I am a Christian and a Catholic because my mom and dad were Catholic and their parents, and their parents, and their parents were Catholic. When I was doing a bit of genealogy, I got back as far as a guy named, "Edward the Carpenter" – and I assume that he was a Catholic there in Galway Bay, Ireland.
I assume people way, way back somewhere started going to church and people kept on going to church or dropping out and then coming back and I’m the beneficiary of their decisions.
As to the call to be a priest, I’ll find out after I die, whether this was the thing to do or not to do in my life – if that’s the way it works. I know a priest came into our classroom in grammar school and talked about the need for Redemptorist priests in Brazil and asked us to think about a vocation to choose such a life and I thought about it and that’s what I did. So far, so good – except for not getting to Brazil as I hoped.
I love Father Andrew Greeley’s “Call Story”. It's in his autobiography. It went something like this: someone came into his second or third grade classroom and asked, “Does anyone here want to be a priest?” He said, “I raised my hand and I’ve never taken it down.” *
CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL
Today, January 25th, is the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul – and Pope Benedict asks us to reflect upon his life and letters this year. Deacon Tony Norcio is offering a series of talks on St. Paul on Thursday evenings here at St. John Neumann’s. Check it out in the bulletin for details.
Christianity was off and running. Jews were joining this reform movement in Judaism – that Jesus started. A man named Saul, a Pharisee, didn’t like this dangerous trend and started persecuting Christians. On the road to Damascus in Syria this man, Saul, was hit by a bolt of something – fell to the ground – heard a voice, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” He answered, “Who are you?” And Saul, blinded for the moment, gets the insight that he is persecuting Christ. He discovers the followers of Christ are the Body of Christ – the Risen Christ – walking our world. Wow!
How did Saul or Paul get called? It was a very direct conversion – being knocked off one’s feet. Artists and preachers often add that he was knocked off his high horse – but the scriptures don’t have him on a horse. He might have been - but the message is that he had a major conversion, call, change, on his way to arrest Christians in Damascus.
In A.A. – Alcoholics Anonymous – and the many 12 Step programs that use its methodology, there is the saying, "You have to hit bottom – before you can stop hitting the bottle." Does it come from this story of Paul? I don’t know. But many people only change, only hear God’s call, when they hit bottom big time.
HOW DO PEOPLE HEAR GOD’S CALL?
Some people hear God’s call dramatically. Some people hear God’s call slowly? Some people hear God’s call without even knowing it’s happening – and their life changes and grows quite gradually.
How do you hear God’s call?
The big message I’m hearing in spirituality for today is adult religion – having an adult relationship with God – and for the Christian – an adult relationship with Jesus.
People reading the Gospels see Jesus walking into their lives – knocking at their door – sitting down to table with them – and they have heart to heart talks with him. I am the Pharisee. I am the blind, the lame, or the deaf - or all three. I am the rock thrower. I am the woman at the well. I am the one caught in adultery. I am the one who is paralyzed. I am the one who has to forgive and be forgiven 70 times 7 times.
Looking at your life, when have you experienced God’s presence? God’s call? When do you have time to sit down with Jesus?
The Religious Education folks in every parish hope that parents who bring their kids for First Confession and First Communion – also get wind of God’s word.
Yesterday I’m sitting here hoping and saying to myself, “Okay parents you are here this Saturday morning. I hope you’ll be here tomorrow – Sunday morning.”
WEDDINGS AND FUNERALS
I was not a parish priest from 1969 till I came here to Annapolis in August of 2002.
St. Mary's has been a wonderful experience – great people – great parish. Of course we have to listen to the Gospel a lot more – and grow a lot more – and conversion is a lifetime experience.
As to God’s calls – in the last six years I have heard at least 50 times the following. Someone is here for a wedding or a funeral from Chicago or Boston, Virginia or Nevada, and they say after the funeral or wedding, “Thank you for the nice service. I guess I got to get back to church.” Jewish folks have also said that to me. I even got two offers to be a rabbi. That moment makes all the hard work of preparing a wedding or funeral homily and service worth while.
We work. God gives the increase. [Cf. 1 Corinthians 3: 5-9]
HOSPITALS AND DOOR BELLS
Father Joseph McManus, whom I was stationed with in New Jersey in a retreat house around 1970, liked being a parish priest much more than working in a retreat house. Joe is buried in our cemetery in the back lawn of St. Mary’s on Duke of Gloucester Street. I’ve stood over his grave many times. I find that's one way God talks to me – as well as the person whose grave I'm standing on. I read those numbers on tombstones. I wonder about those who have died. I find standing on cemetery ground to be standing on holy ground.
Joe McManus often talked about the importance of hospital ministry as a priest – that the key folks were not the person in the hospital bed – but the spouse and the family of the sick person. He said a hospital is a great place where God speaks to lots of people. How about you? Have you heard God’s call when loved ones got sick and / or died? Today's second reading has those very intriguing words: "... the time is running out." The world hasn't come to an end - like various people in the Early Church expected - but we run out of time. That is to be expected.
Joe also said that Jesus often rang door bells in the skin of the poor looking for help. This parish is one of the best parishes I’ve seen for the generosity of people putting money in the poor box. We also have a great group of parishioners who serve the poor as part of the St. Vincent de Paul team - interviewing, listening, helping the poor in our name with great love, respect and care.
READING AND WRITING
I started writing in the 8th grade – stream of consciousness writing – a la James Joyce writing – long before I heard of James Joyce. I did it for laughs as well as for the joy of writing.
Without knowing it, I was to slowly discover that I wanted to not only be a priest, but also a writer. And both were very possible as priest. I’m finding less and less time for writing the longer I am here – but people are more important than words. That’s obvious. However, I jot down thoughts from this and that while experiencing people and situations here in Annapolis – so that when my legs go – but I hope before dementia sets in, I’ll have lots of notes to do some more writing.
I want to do that because I have found God speaks to me through writing – and I’ve had folks write and tell me that something I wrote helped them. That’s enough for me.
I also have discovered that God speaks to me through reading good stuff. I also would like more time for reading.
How does God speak to you?
Read any good books lately – novels – non-fiction – what have you?
SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER
And obviously, reading scripture and praying with scripture is a classic way God speaks to so many of us. I’m blessed as priest with the opportunity over and over again to preach. That means I have to sit down with the readings for each Mass and let them speak to me.
For instance, today’s first reading from the Prophet Jonah triggers so many powerful thoughts. Jonah was called “The Reluctant Prophet”. When God called him to preach in Nineveh he got on a boat and headed the other way – but finally God forced him to preach in Nineveh. Surprise! People heard the word of God and changed dramatically.
I pinch myself for all the places I have been in the United States – never Brazil – where I had to a chance to preach – the 8 and ½ years I was on the road before I came here to Annapolis – plus 14 years in two different retreat houses – where people came to pray and hear the call of God. Thank You, God. Thank You, God.
CONCLUSION
How does God speak to you?
P.S. I’m trying to reach you through this homily. Are you listening? Are you praying? God is speaking. God is calling you. God is challenging you. "Shush!" [Put finger to lip] Listen. Amen.
* Andrew Greeley, Confessions of a Parish Priest: An Autobiography
