February 2022
Reflections of God's Goodness
Beginning with John baptizing Jesus in the Jordan for all to see, Jesus embraced His mission and ministry with gusto. Jesus called the disciples to “put out into deep waters” asking them to trust who He was. Their obedience to Him was rewarded not only with the catch of their life, but a total change of direction for them.
Jesus and His disciples and the others who joined them became a small community of believers. They embraced His mission as their own. Following Jesus and learning from Him, they began to step out in faith to heal and teach and love those they encountered. This mission they were called to, and we are called to is not a part-time commitment. It is our life.
“. . . All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
During these coming weeks of Ordinary Time leading up to the season of Lent, Jesus teaches us about the Kingdom. Look and listen for the Beatitudes or “blessings” in our life! When you are poor, or suffering, or sorrowing, yours is the Kingdom of God. The Lord is kind and merciful and loves us without condition. Love your enemies, He says, give thanks, and remove the wooden beam from your own eye so that you can clearly see God’s view of others.
Jesus calls each of us to “put out into deep waters”— to evangelize, to share our faith, to proclaim the Gospel and to reach out to the poorest among us. Prepare ye the way of the Lord! Let this be our call as we prepare for the upcoming season of Lent. Let it change our life too.
The key to following Jesus is to trust in Him. His word is the fuel for our mission. Step out of your comfort zone now to love others as God loves you – without conditions. None of us is perfect. Open your ears to hear the call in the February Gospel readings and begin to look for ways now to live out the mission. Jesus has taught us everything we need to know.
May this month prepare you for the best Lent ever!
Sister Mary Ann Barnhorn, SNDdeN
“Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it”
