Accepting the Invitation
In the 10th week of the Online Retreat, the focus is on Jesus' invitation to us to follow him, to help him complete his mission. For the first disciples and folks like Levi the tax collector, this meant physically leaving their place in life and moving on. I suppose for some of us today, it could mean the same thing - leaving one place to go serve Christ in another.
Even if we are not called to go across the world to serve in some other place, we can still follow Jesus right where we are. Right here, right now. The needs - physical and spiritual - are everywhere, and every 'yes' to Jesus is a way of following him, helping complete his mission. Many times, saying 'yes' to Jesus means we say 'no' to our selfishness, preconceptions, biases, prejudices, comfort, and habits. So in a way, it's still a journey - an internal journey. And that internal journey can be just as difficult as a physical one.
Steve, this morning I was thinking about the 12 apostles. we have it so easy now. Their continued yes came with a high likelihood of physical torture and death. And they still said yes...
Posted by: Hector | November 21, 2005 at 03:49 PM
Steve,
God's transforming grace is always painful. It means leaving behind treasured biases and prejudices, and asks us to look at the world (and ourselves) differently. It has the temerity to suggest that *I* am not the centre of the universe. Then it has the audacity to ask that people act on that knowledge.
If I knew what this Jesus thing was all about when I was baptized, I'm pretty sure I would been kicking and screaming my way into God's family.
kgp
Posted by: Kevin Powell | November 21, 2005 at 04:06 PM
Yes Hector - we have it pretty easy these days! I remind my kids about that now & then, but it also applies to me.
Kevin - Kicking and screaming! That's a fun image.
Posted by: Steve Bogner | November 21, 2005 at 09:52 PM
Steve, are you reading along in the Spiritual Exercises as you are during the retreat - it's interesting to see the differences. My copy has Ignatius say this about week 10 ...
"I will see in my mind a human king ... this king speaks to all his subjects, saying ' It is my will to conquer all infidel lands. Therefore, whoever wishes to come with me must be content to eat as I eat, drink as I drink, dress as I dress, etc. He must also be willing to work with me by day, and watch with me by night. He will then share with me in victory as he has shared in the toils.'
... If we heed such a call of an earthly king to his subjects, how much more worthy of consideration is it to see Christ our Lord, the Eternal King ..."
Posted by: crystal | November 22, 2005 at 01:11 AM
Hi Crystal - I'm not reading along with the original exercises, but I remember the passage you quoted. It makes a great point - if we are willing to follow our king (or president, or PM, or whatever head of government) then how *much more* we ought to be willing to follow Christ. Sort of puts some of the current religious-political noise in a different light.
Posted by: Steve Bogner | November 22, 2005 at 05:14 AM