January
23, 2005
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Mt
4:12 - 23
It
is form-filling time for thousands of students about to leave school.
It is a time when they strive to link their ability to their aspirations
and to the opportunities available. Even though many options are closed
to the majority because of lack of finance or lack of ability, the range
of third-level courses on offer is ever-widening.
But
no matter how varied the possibilities, the fact remains that each person
has only one life. One particular choice rules out another option. This
is as true in personal relationships as it is in jobs. One can explore
possibilities forever but at the risk of never experiencing the joy
and security of commitment to another person, to a job, to a way of
life or even to God.
Today's
gospel tells of a quartet who made such a commitment in a very radical
fashion. Andrew, Peter, James and John left all they had to follow Jesus.
It was a choice that led them through glorious moments as well as disappointments
to an ever-deepening friendship with Jesus.
God's
call to them seems to us to have been very clear-cut, but what was really
clear-cut was their response. They did what God asked. Our call is the
same.
To
have a possibility of happiness one must choose what is really important
and set about living out that priority with enthusiasm each day.