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Word To Life
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Sunday Scripture Readings, Feb. 10, 2013
By Jean Denton
Catholic News Service
Cycle C. Readings:
1) Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8
Psalm 138:1-5, 7-8
2) 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Gospel: Luke 5:1-11
This Sunday's first Scripture in which the prophet Isaiah remembers his initial response to God's call, reminds me of a turning point for me some 25 years ago when I first understood what it meant to be a fully responsible adult.
By that, I mean being responsible not only for myself and my immediate family, but also taking my share of responsibility for my community.
My young daughter excitedly had brought home a flyer inviting interested parents to an informational meeting about Girl Scouts. Although I hadn't been a stellar scout myself, I knew Libby would gain a lot from the program. I went to the meeting and happily completed her membership form.
All I needed was to hear what day and time her Brownie troop would meet. Instead, the woman leading the meeting asked, "Which of you parents would like to take on the leadership of this new troop?" Or something like that -- her exact words got lost in my indignation at what a sneaky way this was to get volunteers.
But as she continued to explain the workings of an organization that passes on life skills and human values to the community's young people, I asked myself, "Whose job did you think this would be?"
Like Isaiah, I initially questioned whether I was up to the task. After all, I could barely organize myself much less a regular program for children. But I couldn't deny that it was needed, and I cared about it.
It may not have been a call to ministry, but the moment was an invitation to engage in my community and offer whatever I had.
I took the bait and was a troop leader for several years. Subsequently, I also was a Cub Scout den mother, coached several youth baseball teams, was a day-camp counselor, PTA leader, parish catechist and youth minister.
I was blessed through every concern, frustration, anxiety, success and failure. Mostly, I was blessed by every interpersonal relationship. Many last to this day.
That's the Gospel. When Jesus called his first disciples, he instructed them in casting their fishing nets to show how he would help them fulfill the necessary tasks. Their efforts, he promised, would bring people into their life with him.
QUESTIONS:
How have you been called, lately, to leadership in sharing Jesus' life and message with others? What in your experience with Christ has shown you that he will provide what you need for the task?
SCRIPTURE:
"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?'" -- Isaiah 6:8
END
Copyright © 2012 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS Word To Life column may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service.
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