No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me (first) draws him, and I will raise him up on the last day. It is written in the prophets: ‘they shall all be taught by God.”

Friends, there is a dynamic often times missed in our busy life as we plan our schedules and prioritize what we have to do, what is important to us. As a parish priest, I too have chosen to be here and give back to God for his goodness to me and to you; to give God what he deserves, my worship and my life. But Jesus reveals to us that, we would not be here at all if God hadn’t first chosen us, if God hadn’t summoned us here.

Sometimes we can be like Elijah, sitting beneath a broom tree telling God how horrible the world has become. “This is enough, O Lord. Take my life for I am no better (now than I was).” Yet God turns to Elijah and tells him ‘Get up and eat’ and with that food, given to him by God, he was able to walk forty days and forty nights to the mountain of God.

Friends we have been summoned here for a purpose. God wants to tell you that you have control over your lives. You can decide to be different and a better person. You can contribute to making the world more human, more joyful, and more responsible.

How can I do that you might ask? Listen to Paul in his letter to the Ephesians, “remove from your life bitterness, frantic busyness, anger, shouting, gossip and rudeness.

Instead be kind to everyone, compassionate, forgiving as God is. Be imitators of God! Finally, live and love as Christ loves you and don’t be afraid to sacrifice for the sake of others.

It’s not complicated. It is a very simple remedy. Let’s say it again “remove from your life bitterness, frantic busyness, anger, shouting, gossip and rudeness. Instead be kind to everyone, compassionate, forgiving as God is. Be imitators of God! Finally, live and love as Christ loves you and don’t be afraid to sacrifice for the sake of others. Copy this and tape it on your desk, in your car, in your calendars on your bathroom mirror and on your refrigerator.

Now,  God turns to us as he did Elijah and tells us ‘Get up and eat’ and with this Food, take control of your life and help the Church build a better world, a happier world, a better human life for everyone. Go and welcome people here to God’s holy mountain!