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| Today is the Feast of St Andrew in both East and West. Here he is, preaching from his cross before he died. |
Today’s Readings:
- Romans 10:9-18
- Matthew 4:18-22
RSV, Douay, or NABRE with other Mass Texts
How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, of them that bring glad tidings of good things?
Romans 10:15b
Who brought you the Gospel? Who first opened the doors for you – even if it was someone who, by your present understanding, could not show you the whole thing – who, at least, parted the curtains a little (or a lot) that first time? Was it a pastor or a preacher, a Sunday School teacher, a youth worker, a choir director? Was it a school teacher who maybe today would get fired, but who answered your questions about the Bible in a way that let you know she wasn’t just teaching literature and you wanted to know more? Was it someone who handed you a tract on the street? Or a preacher who said something as you passed and you felt the Holy Spirit tugging just a little too hard? Did Nuns singing the Salve Regina at a peace rally intrigue you? Maybe it was your mother or father, maybe some other family member who prayed grace one year at Thanksgiving in a way that let you know he was actually thanking Someone.
Who first opened the doors of this relationship with you? Who planted the first seed?
Who watered the seed? Did your parents send you to Catholic school? Were you in crush/love with the boy or girl who seemed to do best in Confirmation Class and you wanted to be like him or her? Did your older sister share how she kept herself safe on dates, or your older brother tell you all about football and the coach who prayed? Did you have a coworker who opened your eyes one day to why his customers left his desk happy? Were you learning the faith accidentally for 20 years next to someone in a factory, until one day someone else invited you to Church and you said yes because it felt finally right? Was it a lover who felt her own pangs of guilt and woke them in you as well?
Who were the folks who tilled your garden, raised you up in this relationship and watch quietly (or not so quietly) as you wondered and wandered, making sure you were never really lost.
How did you come to the Church where you are now? Who invited you – or directed you via twitter or facebook? Did a bunch in incense and icons at the Prolife March draw you in? Did you find them on yelp because of many good reviews? Were you walking by one day and the door was opened? Did you hear singing and wonder why someone was celebrating Easter on 1 May? Did you follow the dancers behind the statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe and discover the Rosary and real love? Did you get a crush on someone at the gym, only to run into them at the juice bar and see them wearing a sacred heart badge? Did you find them feeding the homeless and were shocked to learn they did it for some “religious” reasons?
Are these folks alive or dead? Could you reach out to them and thank them? Should you even? Would they be embarrassed for knowing? Would they even remember? Can you imagine ever being who you are without them? Reach out in prayer for them, at least.
How beautiful on the mountain are the feet of them that bring Good News.
Now, how can you be like them? What in your life are you doing to be the Gospel for others are these folks were for you? What if your life really is the only Gospel someone ever has shared with them? Great Saint, Equal to the Apostles, and Evangelizer of the Whole Foods Breakroom…
Doxos 