Sunday Sermon, Sunshine and Saying “Hello” to Neighbors

“If you ask me what I came to do in this world, I, an artist, will answer you: I am here to live out loud.”
― Émile Zola
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“I believe there’s a calling for all of us. I know that every human being has value and purpose. The real work of our lives is to become aware. And awakened. To answer the call.”
― Oprah Winfrey
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I may have used these quotes a while back, but they are oldies but goodies.

Today at Mass, the Gospel was about when Jesus asked, Peter, Andrew, James and John to follow Him. They were fishermen, so He asked them to become “fishers of men.”

In Father Jovita’s homily, he explained that we often feel that we have a calling. We may not know why we are called or that we are competent, but we have to follow our dreams.

My viewpoint is, if we have a passion or a calling, we have to pursue it, explore it, and excel. I’ve always loved art and writing. I dabble in both, but I need to spend more time on my passions. So do you. They are gifts from God.
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Gospel MT 4:12-23
As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers,
Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew,
casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen.
He said to them,
“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
At once they left their nets and followed him.
He walked along from there and saw two other brothers,
James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.
They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets.
He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father
and followed him.
He went around all of Galilee,
teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness among the people.
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It was a beautiful afternoon, so yes, it called for a long walk. The sun was shining, but it was pretty windy. I have another passion. It’s called meeting my new neighbors. Now, when I see a neighbor walking, or outside their house, I make an effort to stop, say hello and introduce myself.

Last week, I saw a lady painting a wooden table inside her garage. I stopped by, said “Hi,” and asked about her project. Her name is Melody, and she refinishes wooden furniture and other Items as a part-time hobby. She does beautiful work. You can tell she is passionate about craft.

Today, I saw her working on a couple of different tables, so I stopped and chatted and got to meet her husband. Nice couple.

Hi Melody Terry!

Oh yes, I saved the world from more flat tires. LOOK… Just from today! Where do they all come from? I’m on patrol every day.

Another calling of mine. What’s your calling?

The real work of our lives is to become aware. And awakened. To answer the call.”