Spiritual Home Away from Home

Probably one of my favorite things about Oxford is being able to have the opportunity to worship at St. John's Catholic Church. Father Joe is one of the main reasons why I always keep going back to 5pm Mass, although the $2 spaghetti dinner after church is also high on my priority list! In all my twenty six years attending mass I can honestly say I have never had a priest quite like Father Joe. In his homilies he really knows how to connect with students and keep us attentive. He is able to crack jokes, while still getting his message across.

This was the Gospel:

"Hearing that John had been arrested he withdrew to Galilee, and leaving Nazara he went and settled in Capernaum, beside the lake, on the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali. This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: Land of Zebulun! Land of Naphtali! Way of the sea beyond Jordan. Galilee of the nations! The people that lived in darkness have seen a great light; on those who lived in a country of shadow dark as death a light has dawned. From then onwards Jesus began his proclamation with the message,

'Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is close at hand.' As he was walking by the Lake of Galilee he saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew; they were making a cast into the lake with their net, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, 'Come after me and I will make you fishers of people. And at once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there he saw another pair of brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they were in their boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. And at once, leaving the boat and their father, they followed him. He went round the whole of Galilee teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing all kinds of disease and illness among the people."

-Matthew 4:12-23

In Father Joe's homily he spoke about whatever our career may end up being in the future, a nurse, doctor, lawyer, engineer, construction worker, salesperson, etc. we all have something special to offer someone. We need to be like fishermen, who catch fish out of the darkness and bring it to light. We should do the same with people, if someone is in a dark place we need to be the light of Christ and bring them out of the darkness. It's important to know the light illuminates, encircles, defines things, emphasises the colours and gives depth to space. The light heartens and comforts: to be in an enlightened place helps us to accept reality for what it is and makes one feel happier, more certain and protected.

In summary the Gospel invites us to remember that our personal calling is founded on God’s original and absolutely free choice. His invitation towards us, therefore, is an invitation to make a final decision to let Him mark a turning point in our lives.