Called to Love...... Wherever you are.

At 11pm last night I tried to board the train into Philly, but was told they only took cash. Tired, hungry, and a little frustrated after 12 hours of travel, I headed out to find an ATM in a city I have never visited.  I eventually stumbled into my bedroom on the 3rd floor of an Airbnb in midtown. As I tossed and turned trying to fall asleep, I reflected on just how in the world I got here.  Not just this room, but the new job that brought me here. 
 
The Invitation
I received a phone call a year and a half ago asking if I would consider applying for the Marriage and Family Life office for the Archdiocese of Portland.  Initially I was excited, having worked in church ministry for 13 years; my heart is for the Gospel and the Kingdom.  However, since that phone call, I have heard whispers: 
 
You are not worthy.  What do you have to offer?  You can’t handle this.  What do you know about serving marriage and families? 
 
My life is this beautiful chaos; my wife of almost 12 years and I fall into our bed every night exhausted, declaring, “Well, all four kids are in bed and breathing”.  By no means do we have this married/family thing figured out.  What could I offer to this position that serves to strengthen marriages and support families?
 
Stepping out in Faith
Today is the feast of St. Matthew, the sketchy tax collector Jesus reached out to and invited to follow Him.  This caused the “churchy Pharisees” to gossip. “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”  Jesus, undeterred, saw the potential in Matthew, engaged with him, and invited him to leave his old life and follow.  Matthew, knowing his imperfections and past, responded to Christ’s invitation.  He trusted Jesus, not knowing the plan, just the planner.

Call
I took solace today at Mass with the Capuchin Friars at St. John the Evangelist, hearing this reading anew.  God was calling Matthew.  God is calling me.  God is calling people everywhere: to trust, to life, to mercy, to community, and most especially to communion and intimacy with Himself.  I am short tempered, forgetful, and not the most organized and yet I am still called.  Because when I am aware of my failings and open to God, He fills in what I am lacking.  That starts with relationship with Him.  
 
I am first and foremost called to be a Son in God’s family.  I am called to lay down my life for my bride in our marriage sacrament.  I am called to serve and raise my kids.  I am called to share the good news of Jesus Christ and build His Kingdom, focusing on marriages and families and most especially with the marginalized and outcast.  
 
Listen
On the eve of the World Meeting of Families in Philly, God is calling domestic churches, families, from all over the world to gather in the city of Brotherly Love.  He is calling us to be who we are as God’s family:  the church in communion and intimacy with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Ahead of his visit to the US, Pope Francis has invited us to step outside our comfort zones:  "go forth…. in order to reach the peripheries" - as Dr. Cavadini illustrates here.  Pope Francis is challenging us to answer Jesus' call, first to follow Him and then to share God's love and mercy with the world. 
 
Have you heard God’s call?  Or do you just hear the whispers of others?  No matter where you are today, God is calling us deeper.  In your school, place of work, home: let’s listen to God stirring our hearts to fulfill our mission to love.  Step out in faith, knowing that we are not capable without God’s grace.  That’s the point – we must rely on Him.  Even if you are not here with us at the WMOF, join the call to love by lifting each other up in prayer and in the little sacrifices (from laundry to grocery shopping). 
 
Conversation
My hope for this blog is to create a space where stories can be shared – stories of men and women stepping out in faith, responding to God's Call to love and serve our marriages, families and neighborhoods amidst the whispers which tell us to retreat and stay within our comfort zones.  The World Meeting of Families provides a wonderful opportunity to begin this conversation.

How will you join in this World Meeting of Families?  
Please share your thoughts, comments and ideas below in the comments or on Facebook and Twitter.
~ @J6Kidds