Paul views his apostolic mission to preach the gospel as an obligation imposed upon him and he says, “Woe to me if I do not preach it!” (1 Corinthians 9:16) Recall that Paul was literally flattened by the presence of the risen Christ. (Acts 9:4) Paul (then Saul) was not seeking Jesus on the road to Damascus when Christ appeared to him and informed him he was to bring the gospel to the gentiles. While Paul could have refused, he would be denying his own experience of Christ. Instead he takes up his mission with zeal and determination. Paul does not take money or support from the people he evangelizes, even though he could. He offers the gospel free of charge.
What then is his reward? Paul takes great delight in others accepting his message about Christ. He is willing to make great sacrifices in order to bring the gospel to everyone. He says he makes himself “a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible.” For Paul, nothing matters more than sharing the good news about Christ through word and deed. Paul is clearly someone who had his life rearranged by God. Even though God chose him, Paul chooses to fulfill God’s commission.
What about you? What has God chosen for you to do? Each and every one of us has a Godgiven purpose in life. Most of us do not receive private revelations like Paul or Mother Teresa. This does not make our appointed task any less important, just less certain. How can we know what we are supposed to do? St. Frances de Sales says, “Stop worrying. Move on. Simply. Calmly. Peacefully. Follow the path the Lord shows you without anxiety. If what you do isn’t sinful and you are trying to do the will of God, it is enough.” God will never ask more of us that we can give. We just need to be willing to give God all we have.
Quote from John Kirvan, Set Your Heart Free: The Practical Spirituality of St. Frances de Sales. Notre Dame: Ave Maria Press. 1997.
Contemplative Prayer Group meets this Tuesday, Feb 7 at 7:00pm in the Conference Room. We will watch presentations by Fr. Thomas Keating and Fr. Richard Rohr on the theme: The Eternal Now and how to be there.
Retreat for married couples.
Growing Together: Food for the Journey. February 10-12. Presentations by Deacon Pat and Lory Kelley. At Faraway Retreat House.
The Surprising Sacrament of Matrimony. April 13-15. Presentations by Fr. Tom Vandenberg at Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center at Palisades.
Discernment in Daily Life is offered at St. Joseph Parish, Seattle, 732 18th E. from Jan. 26- March 1. Fr. Mike Bayard, S.J. and Marilyn Nash guide participants in the way of Ignatian discernment through instruction, conversation and prayer. Contact Emily Davis 206.329.4824 or . $150.
Spiritual direction is available by contacting Sr. Joyce Cox at Palisades Formation & Spiritual Direction: 206 748 7997.
LIVING YOUR STRENGTHS A unique code. A mysterious search. A quest for a treasure beyond price. All these things are in Living Your Strengths. In fact, they are actually inside you. They are inside every human being. Welcome to the code that will unravel the adventure you have been on since you were born-the adventure of life God gave each of us in the divine image.
LIVING YOUR STRENGTHS - Arranger
The blessing of your Arranger talent begins with what you can see and perceive. You see patterns and perceive how things go together or could go together; you see groupings and connections. You easily arrange items, facts and information, people, and the many things that must come together for successful events and activities. You are a genius at coordinating people and events, and you ‘multitask’ like few others. The ultimate blessing in the Arranger talent is seen in what you do after you have completed a project. You go back and arrange and rearrange in your mind what you did. This results in increased effectiveness and efficiency in the future. How do you use your Arranger strength in service of God and others? (1 staff person has this strength; can you guess who?)
ST. PLACID PRIORY RETREAT OFFERING
Flourishing in the Grace of Aging Feb. 15 - Sainthood for Seasoned Seniors Mar. 14 - Following the Light as We Age
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults If you are an adult, interested in becoming Catholic, or completing your Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist, or you have been away from the church and are interested in coming back, RCIA might be your answer. Contact Elizabeth in the Parish Office, extension 25 for more information and to register for the classes which meet Mondays at 7:00 - 9:00 PM in the Parish Hall.
If your child is 7 years or older and has not been Baptized, contact Cheryl Brooten, ext. 24 for information about the Rite of Christian Initiation for Children process.
A worldwide Catholic Fraternal Organization..... Imagine being part of an organization that fills your heart and your mind with the joy of giving to others and the feeling that comes with making a difference. Knights are Catholic men, 18 years of age and older, who are committed to making their community a better place, while supporting their Church. Being a Knight is more than camaraderie; it is being involved with your community; it is supporting your local Catholic Church while enhancing your own faith; it is protecting and enhancing your family life. Contact Ken D. if you are interested or have questions 206-248-2543.
SACRED HEART RADIO - AM 1050
Archbishop Alexander Burnett hosts a one hour LIVE call-in program every 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month from 4-5pm. The Bishop's Hour will cover topics of the day, papers that he has published and important issues that challenge Catholics today. You won't want to miss this show.
St. Francis of Assisi Parish
15226 21st Avenue SW | Burien, WA 98166
Parish (206) 242-4575 | School (206) 243-5690
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