January 24: Preparing to Celebrate Sunday’s Mass / Preparándonos para Celebrar la Misa Dominical

The fishermen called by Jesus in Matthew 4, 12-23 experienced a call to radically change their lives – in hopes that they would eventually change the world. Their call meant that they would no longer be merchants out to gain something for themselves. They would no longer work only for profit, money, power, and prestige. Competition among them would be over with. They would now work together, not chasing the fish or the mighty denarii (or the “dollar” of that day). They would offer themselves in service for others, seeking to help build the Kingdom of Heaven.

This weekend’s Mass will come with a reminder that everyone is called, that the call to discipleship is universal. Everyone is invited into Jesus’ life and mission, not just those first-followers who became Apostles. Responding, however, does not then mean quitting our jobs and what is necessary to sustain daily life. It does mean accepting the call and the grace to be free to proclaim and live in the joy of the Kingdom. It does mean that the purpose of our work and how we go about our work is to be different. Instead of being totally focused on profit and personal advancement, we must become more aware of those around us. We are supposed to be conscious of and careful about the how our work and the decisions we make have an impact on the lives of others. Admittedly, this is a radical transformation … and it is exactly what is required of disciples of Jesus. Easy? No. Necessary? Yes!

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Estamos convencidos de que la venida de Jesús supuso un cambio radical para sus discípulos y para el mundo. Con Él, la luz de Dios comenzó a brillar en un mundo sumergido en la tiniebla. Pero, hoy ¿se ha disipado acaso la oscuridad de nuestro mundo? ¿Incluso la de su Iglesia? ¿Es Jesús todavía hoy nuestra luz? 

Nuestras vidas habrían de reflejar  la luz de Dios a todos los pueblos, cercanos y lejanos. Aclamamos a Jesús, que está entre nosotros como luz de nuestra vida. Hablemos, con nuestras vidas, su mensaje de alegría y esperanza, y mostremos que Él vive en nosotros por lo que somos, lo que decimos, y lo que hacemos.