Now is the Time

"Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near..." Isaiah 55:6

Are we truly seeking? Are we calling upon Christ while he is near?

It struck me while reading and pondering today's readings, that there is no better time than now, and no better place than at Mass, to seek Christ and call upon him. We are so blessed to know Christ in the Eucharist, and to be able to be in America to participate in the Mass on a daily basis, without fear!

These are the days we are given to grow in relationship with Christ. These are the days we are given to call upon him in praise, thanksgiving, petition. These are the days to open our hearts to his invitation, so that like the laborers in the vineyard, we can accept God's call whenever it comes.

The laborers were hired in phases throughout the day, invited by the householder to go into the vineyard. I think we are like the laborers, invited by God at different times in our life to follow him. Aren't we also given more clarity about God's specific call to us throughout our lives?

Once we profess our belief in Christ and commit our lives to him, we are still seeking. Maybe we don't know yet what exactly God wants for our lives, but are we seeking? Maybe we have already determined our vocation, but are still waiting for God to lead us to a deeper expression of His call? Maybe we are at a point in our lives that we merely need to return to God and let Him show us the way, again.

If the laborers weren't near the householder's land, would they have heard the invitation to enter the vineyard and work?

If we aren't coming near to Christ in prayer, reading the Scriptures, receiving the Sacraments, attending Mass, will we hear the invitation that is meant just for us?

Seek the Lord. Draw near in prayer, by reading the Scriptures and especially in receiving the Eucharist at Mass. He is near. Now is the time.

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