I write this about an hour after receiving my first Moderna Covid - 19 shot. I feel fine and I recommend that everyone eligible for the Covid Shot gets one. Even Pope Francis makes the same recommendation. There is a website to make appointments or you can call 211. Pray for an end to the pandemic and get your shots.
This weekend we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr., a man who could really preach the word of God. After the riot at the Capitol, one might ask what has happened to his dream of all of us being brothers and sisters? I think it is still possible. One sign of this would be the senatorial election in Georgia. A young Jewish man and the Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church were elected by running together. Not to mention our second Catholic President. The dream is alive and requires a whole lot of work on our part. Let us pray for all those elected to national office that they may work together to make us a better people. Let us also pray for a peaceful transfer of power at the Inauguration on the 20th.
This Sunday is the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time. Our readings deal with us being called to be disciples of Christ. In our first reading from the Book of Samuel, we have Samuel's call to be a prophet. He is called several times but doesn't realize God is calling him until Eli tells him "Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply, Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening." In the Responsorial Psalm we all answer like Samuel: Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will. Paul tells us in the second reading that we are temples of the Holy Spirit and as such we must glorify God in our bodies. In John's Gospel we are told of Jesus calling his first disciples. John the Baptist points him out as the Lamb of God. One of John's followers is Andrew, who goes and gets his brother Simon and tells him they have found the Messiah. Both Andrew and Simon, follow Jesus, who renames Simon as Cephas which is translated Peter, the rock upon whom Jesus will build his church. We are each called in different ways but we are called to follow Jesus. Hopefully, we mean it when we sing: I have decided to follow Jesus!
We continue to have Mass on Sunday at 8:15 and 10:30 AM, masked and socially distanced. If you feel ill, please stay home. The Bishop's dispensation is still in effect. Cheryl and Francine are still putting our 10:30 on line about an hour after we celebrate. There is a connect to this on our webpage, at the very bottom. We will have a special MLK Service on zoom January 24 at 1 PM. Deacon Mel has resumed our Confirmation Class on line as well. Our St. Augustine Faith in St. Joe County continues to meet by zoom on Fridays at 4 PM.