St Pauls Parish Newsletter 9th February 2025
PETER’S CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP
None of us is worthy of the call of God. Worthiness has little to do with whom God calls into service or how God intends to reveal the kingdom to the world through them. Certainly, throughout the Scriptures, Peter reveals, again and again, how clumsy he was with the invitation of God and how imperfect a choice he was for doing great things. Yes, that did not prevent Jesus from calling him into radical service and leadership, nor did it ultimately inhibit miracles from happening for Peter’s benefit and edification.
What is a significant factor in receiving the call of God is willingness. This willingness is one that allows us to set out into the deep in our relationship with God and be transformed from that depth. Certainly, we respond with Peter’s hesitancy. Like Peter, we may be incredulous at the call. At times, we may experience the call of God as daunting in its consequences. Peter’s life radically changed when he let Jesus into his own boat to catch that startling load of fish. His awareness of his own inadequacy made him want to push Jesus away and refute the call. However, something deep within him was stirred by this encounter with Christ and he willingly consented to follow Jesus.
The call involves a willingness to risk. It requires an openness to being surprised by God. In saying ‘yes’ to that invitation, Peter embraced a life that was beyond his wildest dreams. He experienced a relationship of intimacy with Jesus that would definitively shift his priorities and his lifestyle.
Like Peter, we risk realizing our own greatness when we say ‘yes’ to God in Christ. We enter into a partnership, a discipleship, when we consent to God’s invitation. Are we willing?
CELEBRATIONS THIS WEEK
Monday 10th February St Scholastica
Friday 14th February Sts Cyril & Methodius
Tuesday 11th February Our Lady of Lourdes (World Day of Prayer for the Sick)
PARISH DIARY FOR THE COMING WEEK
Sunday 9th Feb Refreshments after 10am Mass 11:30am – 1:30pm Family Mass Choir W/Shop
Monday 10th Feb 7:30pm SVP
Tuesday 11th Feb Refreshments after 9:30am Mass + Church Cleaning
Wednesday 12th February 12:30pm Welcome Space
Friday 14th February 10am ASCENT Group 18:30 Youth Alpha
Sunday 16th Feb Refreshments after 10am Mass
St Pauls Choir – Easter Play –
Join us in auditioning for the St Paul’s Easter Play call ‘Born for This’