Good News Reflection
FOR NEXT SUNDAY: February 7, 2010
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C
Parish bulletins, faith-sharing groups, RCIA:
For professionally published, printable copies of this reflection,
please go to Catholic Digital Resources:
http://catholicdr.com/calendar/February/5thC.htm - Preview a sample
Next Sunday's Readings:
Is 6:1-2a, 3-8
Ps 138:1-5, 7-8
1 Cor 15:1-11
Luke 5:1-11
http://www.usccb.org/nab/020710.shtml
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/10_02_07.mp3
Very often, the Lord gives us help even when we don't ask for it. We see this in what he did for Simon Peter, James and John in next Sunday's Gospel reading, when he provided a great catch of fish for them.
What's his motive? Was he rewarding these fishermen for lending him one of their boats? Do you think he does good things for you as a reward?
Well, its not a reward. There's a bigger picture.
Note the pattern of Christ's interaction with us as illustrated by this Gospel story:
1 - First, the fishermen already know Jesus; they call him "Master" because he's a master teacher and they are his students.
2 - Second, Jesus helps them in an unexpected way.
3 - Third, Jesus turns the gift into a calling.
4 - Fourth, the disciples give up everything that could interfere with answering the call.
Whenever God intervenes in our lives, he does it to benefit us AND others. We belong to a community, God's family; we are not in relationship with God as isolated individuals. By connecting ourselves to God in prayer, in the Eucharist, and in worship, we are connecting ourselves to everyone else and to his concerns for them.
Our prayers for help are never answered only for our sake. God always sees a bigger picture. And he always cares about everyone who's affected by our need for help.
If it seems like God isn't responding to your pleas, it's because he's working on a bigger plan. He's coordinating how the answer to your prayers will help others – many others.
God cares very much about your personal needs and desires, but he is turning them into a calling, a ministry designed specifically for you. This means that the moment you begin asking for help, you are called by God to share his help with others.
By thinking beyond ourselves while waiting for our troubles to end, we find peace and hope and value in the hardships we endure. This is the vocation of daily life.
Questions for Personal Reflection:
What prayer requests are you still waiting for God to answer? What might God be doing during this delay that could benefit others?
Questions for Family & Community Faith Sharing:
Recall a time when God answered one of your prayers. Identify the four stages of divine intervention that are mentioned in this reflection.
STARTING ON MONDAY, if you're a member of the "Emmaus Journey" e-group, share your answers by writing to EmmausJourney@gnm.org
* To join and become a member, go to:
http://gogoodnews.net/GNMcommunities/EmmausJourney/
© 2010 by Terry A. Modica
This work is NOT in Public Domain and may NOT be copied without permission.
You may print one copy for your own personal use.
For PERMISSION and info on how to copy this reflection for sharing, see:
http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?
Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?
To sign up for your own subscription, go to:
http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?
Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue...
Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________
This is the "Good News Reflections - American Edition" mailing list.
MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:
Change your address
Unsubscribe
No comments:
Post a Comment