Vocation

Jay de Leon worked in Japan as a computer engineer for five years where he met our SVD missionaries in Nanzan University in Nagoya. One thing led to another, and now he is Fr. Jay de Leon, SVD. He who used to be a fisherman on the internet, has become a “fisher of men,” working as an SVD missionary in South Africa. An amazing vocation story, by an amazing God who continuously calls each one of us.

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In today’s Gospel (Luke 5,1-11), we hear how Jesus called ordinary fishermen to become His partners in mission for the kingdom of God. They were called, and they responded. They were invited and they came. Let us continue to listen, and be open to God’s calling and invitation to come closer to Him, and follow Him at any time of our lives.

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“Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” I remember seeing once a fisherman fishing at the shore of Lake Galilee, who had a little catch. Just then, I saw a boat come in, filled with large catch. Why? The first one did not leave the familiar shore; the other one risked to go into deep waters.

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Don’t spend your whole life just catching lots of money, honors, fame, and beauty. You were made not just for shallow waters. Let our constant prayer be: Lord, is there anything more that I can be or should be? Is there anything deeper that I can do or should do?

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What if the fishermen disregarded or snubbed Jesus’ invitation? What if Jay de Leon deleted God’s message on his computer? Remember, anytime you go beyond your comfort zone, go the “extra mile” and give the extra smile. You are coming closer to God’s heart, and you are becoming a better person.

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May we have a bountiful catch of good leaders in this coming May elections. May we go into the deep, and really lower our nets in choosing whom to vote for. You know why we end up with bad leaders in our nets? That’s because we refuse to leave our familiar, convenient, and comfortable way of doing politics in shallow waters, where politicians with guns, goons, and gold abound. It is in deep waters where statesmen and women with God, goodness, and guts can be found.

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Today let us take time to thank God for the many times He gave us more than what we deserved. Our God is a generous God, full of love, mercy, and compassion. Today also, we pray: Lord, how can I repay you, how can I somehow show gratitude to you for all that you have done for me?

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“Depart from me for I am a sinful man.” No matter who you are, or what you have been, if you can say this prayer humbly, wholeheartedly, and sincerely, you are not far from God’s heart.

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Wanted: more fishers of men! Let us all pray for more vocations. Yes, we need prayer partners to pray for the increase of priestly, religious, and missionary vocations.

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We all have the vocation (calling) to become better persons, and to do our God-given mission to spread the Gospel values of peace, justice, and love wherever we are, whatever we do. One with you!

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It is a joy to have our regular 10 a.m. online Sunday Mass (YouTube/FB “Fr. Jerry Orbos”), together with Filipino SVD vacationing missionaries working overseas, or those awaiting deployment. By the way, our “Mission Band” will have a “harana” after the Mass, spreading joy and hope with our amateur singing. All for the Divine Word, our Lord and Master.

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A moment with our Lord:Lord, remind us that life is a vocation, not a vacation. Amen.

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READ: Amazing!