Reflection for Saturday, January 28, 2017: 3rd Week in Ordinary Time.

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Wirth, Eileen

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2017-01-28

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Essay

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en_US

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"Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen."|Hebrews|When Fr. James Martin S.J. took a job as a corporate accountant for General Electric because that's what graduates of Wharton Business College did, he was miserable. One night on TV, he happened to catch a show about Thomas Merton, the great Trappist writer. To his surprise, it spoke deeply to him -- his first inkling of a call that eventually led him to the Jesuits.|Fr. Martin describes this road in his book, In Good Company. I highly recommend it not only as a great read but also as an illustration of the message of today's reading from Hebrews: "Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen." The story should resonate with those who have struggled with following a prompting of the spirit that they neither expected nor understand.|In mind's eye, I also envision the many students who came seeking guidance about what path in life to take. Usually they wanted to be certain that they would make the right decision – as if there were a single right decision! They had to take some things on faith and hope.|As a result of their Jesuit education, many students were no longer satisfied with just the prospect of making money. They often envisioned a future quite different than the one they had as freshmen. Much like Abraham, they felt they were entering dangerous territory and they were scared. Happily I could tell them stories of students who had found wonderful lives by following the promptings of the spirit.|Now in retirement, I'm learning that we are never too late to receive challenging promptings from the spirit – to take the risk to find new ways to live as women and men for and with others. But we at least stand on a foundation we've built over life.  Students can feel they are jumping off a cliff into the unknown. Special blessings and good wishes to seniors heading into their momentous final semesters! 

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University Ministry, Creighton University.

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These reflections may not be sold or used commercially without permission. Personal or parish use is permitted.

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