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Beginning on Monday, January 16, 2012 Fr. Duffy’s blog will post messages every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
These messages will consist of true real-life miracles every Monday and Wednesday; and two scriptures meditations every
Friday and Sunday.

Miracles happen to those who believe.

If you have experienced such a miracle in your life or know someone who has, please send your story (about 400 words)
to the following email: hduffyheart@earthlink.net.

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“Behold, the Lamb of God”

Gospel of John, chapter 1:35

Today’s scripture (John 1:35-42) makes it clear that the call to union with God is also a call to togetherness with others. The initiative is God’s. God values each and every one of us, but we must also recognize that all people are of divine worth; that all people truly are our sisters and brothers. To accept God’s call, means more that accepting a personal or private commission; it means accepting a communal life, a life of solidarity with others. John the Baptist was instrumental in directing Andrew to Christ, the “Lamb of God.” Andrew in turn, led his brother, Simon, who was later re-named Peter, to Christ. And, so it goes. We need one another, we depend on one another, and we influence one another by the way we respond to God’s call in our lives.

You can test whether or not you are really responding to God’s call by the way you act in relation to others. Ask yourself: “When God calls me, does God find in me a person committed to the welfare of others?” If the answer is “No;” if you see your call as some sort of narrow selection; then you have not really responded to God’s call.

All of us are called to make God’s Kingdom present in terms of peace, justice, and love. We hinder this presence whenever we surrender to pride, greed, self-centeredness, dishonesty, lust for power, dog-eat-dog competition, insensitivity to the needs of others, lack of compassion, unwillingness to try to understand others.

Tommy Lasorda, manager of the LA Dodgers, tells the amusing story about going to mass on Sunday morning prior to a big game against the Cincinnati Reds that Sunday afternoon. As mass ended, he saw the manager of the Cincinnati Reds walk up to the altar and light a candle. Tommy’s competitive spirit got the better of him; he waited for his competitor to leave church before blowing out his candle. Later, a more mature Tommy realized he should have lit his own candle instead of giving into dog-eat-dog competition; he realized that it was better to have God on His side.

Resolve to follow the ‘Lamb of God’ in your real life by touching others with the example of Christ.

Fr. Hugh Duffy

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