"Hear me, O coastlands, listen, O distant people. The Lord called me from my mother's womb. He gave me my name." Isaiah 49:1 (Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, Mass during the Day)
What a proclamation from Isaiah! At a quick glance, it sounds kind of boastful -The Lord called me! He is broadcasting for everyone to listen: The Lord has called me!
In fact, the Lord has called each and every one of us, whether we know it or not. I firmly believe He has mighty plans for all of us individually—and I think He wants us to broadcast that fact. He gave me my name, my mission, my life. He knew whom I would marry, who my children would be, where I would work, everyone I would meet, everywhere I would go. And I really believe He called me (and you) from before our birth in the silence of our mother's womb. He has called us to courageously proclaim the Good News just as He did and as did His cousin, John the Baptist, whose feast we celebrate today.
I'd like to thank, in a special way, all the clergy and religious who have answered the call. (Happy anniversary of ordination, Father John Wachowicz!)
Can you make time today to deeply listen and hear what He is calling you to do?
Lord, help us be still and hear Your voice then courageously proclaim Your Good News.
Reflection by:
Tina Ver Pault
Did You Know...
Tina VerPault was born and raised in Boston. Tina is one of the youngest of 14 children. She is blessed with 5 children, 14 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren whom she loves dearly. A long-time parishioner of Resurrection Catholic Church in Riverview, she has served as a parish secretary and director of religious education, as well as many other ministries, since 2003. Tina was commissioned as a Lay Pastoral Minister and encourages everyone who would like to deepen their knowledge of our faith through the LPMI at the Diocese of St. Petersburg.
