Jan. 4 - Follow Me.

Greetings Beloved,

In chapter 4 of the gospel of St. Matthew in verses 18-22, we see Jesus walking along the shore by the Sea of Galilee. This sea was not a sea at all but rather a fresh water lake about 13 miles long, approximately 8 miles wide and about 160 ft deep. Along its shores were fishing villages and the fisherman were out working on their nets and catching fish. Jesus says, "Come, follow me... and I will make you fishers of men."

Two of the men who responded to Jesus' call were James and John the sons of Zebedee. They immediately left their nets and their boats and they followed Jesus. They left their homes, families and their livelihood to become disciples of Jesus and fishers of men. they would later be given the nickname the "Sons of Thunder." Along with Peter, they eventually became Jesus key followers.

Friends, having been a missionary myself, let me say that its not easy to give up home and family and all the luxuries of American living that we take for granted on a daily basis. As a matter of fact its rare for anyone to leave all and follow the Lord into the world. Missionaries represent only about .05% of our U.S. population. These are the selfless individuals who leave all that they know and travel to the ends of the Earth to do the Lords work.

The Bible says, "And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple" (Luke 14:27-30,33). In one of my favorite Christian Rock songs called "Crawl to China" by the band Tourniquet they beg the question; "Is God asking you to crawl to China - or just to cross the street?" Are you willing to go anywhere to serve the Lord?

Pray with me... Almighty and Everlasting Father, make us Your witnesses, that we might minister to the needs of others. Take us out into the world, Lord that we might share Your healing love with all. Use us we pray, in Jesus' name. AMEN!

God's blessings to you all,

Fr. Ernest+