St. Anthony's Catholic Church

Fr. Matt’s Corner:  Come and see . . .

            Greetings to you, my dear friends in Christ.  This weekend, we get to be like the proverbial ‘fly on the wall’ – listening in on some beautiful conversations between God and His people. 

            ‘Samuel!  Samuel!’ . . . ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’

            ‘What are you looking for?’ . . . ‘Rabbi, where are you staying?’ . . . ‘Come and see.’

            ‘You are Simon son of John; you will be called Cephas (Peter).’

            While we are privileged to eavesdrop on God’s conversations with Samuel, Andrew, and Simon Peter; let us not forget that God calls to each of us in much the same way.  May we respond with Samuel:  Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.  May we then hear Jesus’ call to Come and see so that He may make us (like Simon) a new creation (with a new name) – you will be called Cephas.

            This week, we have been called to be aware of and to pray for vocations – particularly vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Thanks be to God that He continues to call many young people to this beautiful and wonder-filled life.  We are blessed here at St. Margaret and St. Anthony parishes to have some of these young people in our midst.  May we – like Eli the priest – help them to recognize the voice of the Lord speaking to them in the silence of prayer.  Let us continue (or else begin) today to make our families places of prayer.  If you gather around the ‘boob tube” to watch the Packers this weekend, then also gather around the Word of God to listen to the Lord. 

          May we – like John the Baptist – point our young people in the right direction:  Behold, the Lamb of God.  If you have a son or daughter, or a niece or nephew, or a god-son or a god-daughter; then take some time with them to find out about their life of faith.  Ask them what they’ve been learning at religious education.  Take the time to come out and support them by sitting in on their classes Sunday morning or Wednesday evening.  Better yet, volunteer to help teach our young people as a catechist, a catechist sub,or a catechist aide.  Help them to learn the Truth by continuing to learn the Truth yourself through any of our adult faith formation opportunities.  Let us support and encourage them as they respond faithfully to God’s call.

            Not only that, but God continues to call each and every one of us – married, single, young, old – to share ever more deeply in His life of faith, hope, and love.  May we silence the noises in our lives long enough to hear His call so that we may respond and act with zeal, enthusiasm, and gratitude.  I think I hear Him calling now . . .

            Peace to all of you this holy day and to all who love the Lord in simplicity of heart,

Fr. Matt