“Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed.” MK 5: 20

 

We pick up in today’s Gospel from St Mark after many unclean spirits were expelled out of manand sent into a herd of swine.  Two thousand of them ran off to drown in the sea.  The man, even while possessed, knew Jesus as the Son of the Most High God.  After having his prayer listenedto, and then granted, he wanted to stay with Jesus.  However, Jesus had another mission for him, to go and announce to family, friends, and strangers all that the Lord had done for him.

 

During yesterday’s homily, Fr Vincent spoke to each of us on how we need to do more than just pray but to put actions with our prayers.  It is easy at times to say a few words to one or all three members of the Holy Trinity and then just expect that action alone to be our contribution.  God is looking for more out of us.  The Good News is that we are not to try and give more than what He has blessed us with but rather take these gifts and use them in union with Jesus.  At times statements are made that the Church should do more, when in fact, each of us are the Church.  Yes, the Church should do more, what are we going to do or are we going to wait on others?  If everyone waits on others, a whole lot of people will be waiting, and nothing will change.

 

Today is the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children.  We recall the most disastrous judicial decision in American history, the legalizing of abortion in the United States on January 22, 1973. It is estimated, because there is no actual data to be certain, that over an estimated 60 million babies have been aborted in just the United States since 1973.  During 47 years of my 60 years on earth, 18% of the 331 million American population have been killed.  At this moment, the Lord challenges us to choose life (DT 30:19-20).  However, to choose life for others, we must consider what we each need to do. Yes, prayer is extremely important!!  However, based on the data, more is needed.  Jesus prayed for us but also chose to die so that we, as sinners, could live and become His sisters and brothers. We must choose to die to self so others can live, to be transformed from death-dealing to self-dying.  King Solomon states quite clearly in today’s First Reading that we, “must be wholly devoted to the Lord, our God, observing his statutes and keeping his commandments,” (1Kings 8: 61).  In other words, Love God and Serve God.

 

Jesus chose very ordinary people. They were non-professionals, who had no wealth or position. They were chosen from the common people who did ordinary things, had no special education, and no social advantages. Jesus wanted ordinary people who could take an assignment and do it extraordinarily well. He chose disciples, not for what they were, but for what they would be capable of becoming under His direction and authority. 

 

Jesus calls us to serve Him.  We each have the qualities and abilities to not only pray through a crisis but also achieve that which Jesus expects from us, to stand for the Truth.  To bring to notice and deliver, through actions, the importance of God’s Gift of created human life.  

 

The Bible says that the service we provide not only meets needs but expresses thanks to God and leads others to praise God.  Beyond its ordinary meaning to human life, Jesus used “life to signify a share in His own Divine Trinitarian existence, which becomes possible for those who respond to His invitation to turn away from sin and open their hearts to God’s abiding love”(CCC).

 

When the Lord calls us to serve, we must not shrug back because we think that we have little or nothing to offer. The Lord takes what ordinary people, like us, can offer and uses it for greatness in His Kingdom. So yes, pray, but let our heart and our head inform our hands the mission Jesus has for us. Like the man in today’s Gospel, let us make our life an offering to the Lord and allow Him to use us as He sees fit.  Let us amaze others by actively sharing all Jesus has done for us.

 

"Lord Jesus, fill me with gratitude and generosity for all you have done for me. Take my life and all that I have as an offering of love for you, who are my All."

 

May God’s Grace and Blessings Always be with you and yours!!  Our Lady of Guadalupe – Pray for us!!  

Yours in Christ,

Deacon Bob

St. Clare of Assisi

Houston, TX