When Jesus called his first disciples, he didn’t invite them just to attend his public lectures, but to join him, to live with him, to share meals with him, to pray with him, to teach with him, and to serve the poor with him. To share life with him.
The image above depicts Jesus’ call of the first disciples (Luke 5: 1-10). Look at the faces of Peter (still called Simon then) and James. Look at the intensity in their faces. Jesus had just finished preaching to a crowd, from Simon’s boat and he had instructed them to cast their nets again. Despite being out all night and nothing to show for it, they cast again into the water.
Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”
Over the course of many weeks and months, the disciples absorbed Jesus’s way of living. Imagine spending three years living with Jesus.
If we wish to follow Jesus as disciples, we too will seek to be absorbed into his way of living. Over time we will be transformed — little by little — taking on the character of Christ, imitating his way of life.
Click on the video below and explore with Fr. Ron Will the idea of being absorbed into The Way of the Teacher.
New videos will be posted on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We’ll send you an email on Thursdays to remind you to watch. You can find all the videos here (after they are posted): Lent Video Series. You can share your thoughts about the video on our Facebook page.
[Fr. Ron Will, a Precious Blood priest and spiritual director, is a graduate of Catholic Theological Union and Creighton University’s School of Christian Spirituality. He has a special interest in helping form intentional disciples of Jesus, encouraging others to go spiritually deep-sea diving to explore a deeper relationship with God, and walking with people as they dive into the ocean of God’s mystery actually experiencing God rather than simply dipping one’s toe into the water.]
During November, we celebrate those who have gone before us, our ancestors upon whose shoulders we stand. We celebrate the Feast of All Saints, All Souls Day, Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving Day. We remember their positive influence on our lives.
An Assembling God’s Puzzle video
By Fr. Garry Richmeier, C.PP.S.
Using threats, shame and guilt to gain another’s cooperation is expedient but ineffective over the long-run. On the other hand, inviting someone to join us in a common work or goal, respects the other, is more constructive and more often results in substantive and long-lasting change.