{"id":66697,"date":"2018-01-18T07:00:12","date_gmt":"2018-01-18T14:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/restlesspilgrim.net\/blog\/?p=66697"},"modified":"2018-01-22T15:44:01","modified_gmt":"2018-01-22T22:44:01","slug":"sunday-lectionary-vocation-and-mission","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/restlesspilgrim.net\/blog\/2018\/01\/18\/sunday-lectionary-vocation-and-mission\/","title":{"rendered":"Sunday Lectionary: Vocation and Mission"},"content":{"rendered":"

Several years ago when I ran a weekly Bible Study, I would post my commentary on the Sunday Mass Readings.<\/a>\u00a0One of my friends who leads a weekly Bible Study is in Washington DC at the moment for the March For Life and has asked me to host the group in her absence.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, I already had some notes for this coming Sunday’s readings<\/a>, but I spent some time updating them in preparation for tonight’s discussion. So, in case you’re interested, here they are…<\/p>\n

3rd Week of Ordinary Time<\/span><\/h1>\n

Opening Prayer<\/h2>\n

Lord, inspire me to read your Scriptures and to meditate upon them day and night. I beg you to give me real understanding of what I need, that I in turn may put its precepts into practice. Yet, I know that understanding and good intentions are worthless, unless rooted in your graceful love. So I ask that the words of Scripture may also be not just signs on a page, but channels of grace into my heart. Amen.<\/span><\/p>\n

–\u00a0Origen of Alexandria (2nd Century)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Introduction<\/span><\/h2>\n

Last week\u2019s Readings focused on <\/span>God\u2019s call<\/b> to us. In turn, this week\u2019s Readings focus upon <\/span>our response to Him<\/b>, our <\/span>vocation <\/b>and <\/span>mission<\/b>. Oh yes…and fish.<\/span><\/p>\n

Having before you many examples of sinners who repented and were saved, be you also earnest in confessing to the Lord, that you may receive pardon for past sins, be made worthy of the heavenly gift, and inherit the kingdom of heaven with all the saints.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

– St. Cyril of Jerusalem (c. AD 386)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

In the First Reading we hear of how Jonah (eventually) responded to God\u2019s call and then how the <\/span>people of Nineveh<\/b> responded to God through the message of His Prophet.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the Gospel we hear Jesus\u2019 message: <\/span>repent and believe<\/b> for the Kingdom is at hand. He calls <\/span>four fishermen<\/b> to come and follow him, simple men who, later when He is gone, will become great <\/span>pillars in His Church<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Readings<\/span><\/h2>\n

Reading I: Jonah 3:1-5, 10<\/b><\/h3>\n

Book Facts:<\/b><\/p>\n