In the First Reading for today we hear: "Abram was seventy five years old when he departed from Haran" (Gen 12: 4) and, in the Gospel: "When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome with fear." (Mtt 17: 6) The encounter with God and my response to his call will always take me outside of my comfort zone. This also goes for the Church as a whole. When we consider the challenge of Pope Francis to all Catholics to become "missionary disciples" it unsettles many. They are happy to live in the parish of school community as they have know it over the years and the idea of venturing out beyond the walls of the institution is frightening. Yet, that is what we are called to do. The Church of today needs to commit afresh to the spread of the Gospel and not be afraid of past failures or disappointments. Like St Peter we can hear the words: "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch" and reply: "Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing." (Lk 5: 4-5) Nevertheless, let our response also be: "Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets." (Lk 5: 5) I exhort all parishioners, as well as myself, to be open to the teaching of the Church on evangelization and discipleship so that we may share in the joy of the saints as we have shared with them in their mission: "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people." (Lk 5: 10)
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