Doesn’t it seem like every time you find a good doctor that you really like, they move? Or every time you get into a smooth, steady routine, something happens to throw it off balance? Or once you find that perfect pair of pants that fit you like a glove you either gain or lose weight and they no longer fit well? It seems like our lives are in a permanent state of flux, never constant, always changing. Yet we don’t like that word do we? Change. A friend of mine once received as a gift a large cup that had every single one of its synonyms written on it. He had noticed that time and time again people would cringe when he mentioned change, so he avoided saying it at all costs.
What is it about change that hits us at our core? Why do we so often flee from it, running instead toward what is inside our comfort zone, what is known and familiar? Part of it has to do with our tendency to sin and part of it our fear of the unknown. If I do something I have never done before, how will it make me feel? Will I get hurt? Will it make me sad? Or on the flip side, will I experience an unfathomable freedom and joy?
Have you ever thought about what a tremendous change Andrew and the other men experienced as they were called to discipleship in today’s Gospel? There is no verbal response, no drama, and no second thoughts. It simply says: “At once they left their nets and followed him.” And again, “immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.” Can you imagine what being in Jesus’ presence must have been like, so that just a few words of invitation were all they needed to leave everything they knew and loved, their livelihood and even their families? Now that is a huge amount of change!
Yet all of us are given the free will to make choices in our lives that can also impact us and others in a monumental way. We can choose charity instead of gossip to improve the atmosphere of our workplace. We can choose to control our temper when our children are bothering each other (yet again), to give them a Christ-like example of patience within our families. We can choose gratitude instead of complaining when things don’t go our way, to help create a more positive parish. We can choose to serve in a ministry we don’t think we have time for to allow the light of Christ to shine through us and brighten the lives of those in our communities.
Lord, show us which areas in our lives you are calling us to make a positive change. Grant us the strength we need to overcome our weaknesses and the courage we need to overcome our fears. Increase our faith to truly believe that your grace is enough for us. Amen.
Daily Reading
Thursday of the First Week of Advent
Reading 1 Is 26:1-6 On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah: “A strong city have we;he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us.Open…
Saint of the Day
Saint Sabas
Saint Sabas, born in Cappadocia, was a pivotal figure in early Eastern monasticism, renowned for his devout life of solitude and community leadership.
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