Called to Serve: Embracing God's Love and Mission
Summary
### Summary
Thank you for joining us today. This week, I had the privilege of spending time with our Junior Preachers, and it was a reminder of the importance of community and mentorship in our faith journey. As we gather, we are reminded of our collective mission to be a visible sign of God's love in the world. Today, I want to share a bit about my journey and how it aligns with the readings for this weekend.
I am Father Jack Swoik, a newly ordained priest, and this is my first assignment. My journey to priesthood began in Pekin, where I grew up and was deeply involved in my parish and youth group. It was through these experiences that I felt the Lord's call to serve. My time in seminary, both in Winona and Emmitsburg, was a period of profound growth and formation, preparing me for this moment.
The readings this weekend remind us that the Lord chooses each of us individually. The Prophet Amos and St. Paul both speak of being chosen by God, not because of our merits, but because of His love for us. This calling is not just for the prophets and apostles but for each one of us. We are called to step away from the noise of the world and follow Him more perfectly.
Jesus' instructions to His apostles to take nothing for their journey but a walking stick is a powerful reminder that we are to rely solely on Him. Our mission is to bring Christ to others, not through our own strength, but through His presence within us. As we come to the altar, we are nourished by the Eucharist and sent out to be His hands and feet in the world.
Let us pray for the grace to hear His call anew, to be nourished by His love, and to be sent out to build His kingdom. May we always remember that we are chosen, loved, and called to a higher purpose.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Personal Call: Each of us is chosen by God for a unique purpose. This calling is not based on our merits but on His love for us. We must quiet the noise of the world to hear His voice and follow Him more perfectly. [29:08]
2. Reliance on Christ: Jesus instructs His apostles to take nothing for their journey but a walking stick, teaching us to rely solely on Him. Our mission is to bring Christ to others, not through our own strength, but through His presence within us. [32:27]
3. Nourishment from the Eucharist: The Eucharist is the most perfect nourishment we can receive. It strengthens us to follow Christ and to be His hands and feet in the world. Each time we come to the altar, we are reminded of His love and our mission. [30:53]
4. Community and Formation: Our faith journey is enriched by community and mentorship. My own journey to priesthood was shaped by my parish, youth group, and seminary experiences. We are called to support and guide one another in our walk with Christ. [27:19]
5. Mission to Build the Kingdom: After being nourished by Christ, we are sent out to build His kingdom. This mission requires us to bring Christ to others in every act, prayer, and relationship. We are called to recommit to this mission daily. [33:36]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[13:32] - Epiphany Renewal Prayer
[15:11] - Introduction and Background
[23:01] - First Assignment and Excitement
[23:29] - Importance of the School
[23:59] - Personal Journey and Vocation Story
[27:19] - Role of Youth Group and Emmaus Days
[29:08] - God's Personal Call
[30:53] - Nourishment from the Eucharist
[31:22] - Jesus Sends Us Out
[32:27] - Reliance on Christ
[33:36] - Mission to Build the Kingdom
[34:48] - Profession of Faith
[41:23] - Eucharistic Prayer
[45:39] - The Mystery of Faith
[47:07] - Prayers for the Departed
[48:56] - The Lord's Prayer
[51:23] - Final Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Amos 7:14-15: "Then Amos answered and said to Amaziah, 'I was no prophet, nor a prophet's son, but I was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore figs. But the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’"
2. Ephesians 1:4-5: "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will."
3. Mark 6:7-9: "And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts—but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics."
### Observation Questions
1. What was Amos doing before the Lord called him to be a prophet? (Amos 7:14-15)
2. According to Ephesians 1:4-5, when did God choose us, and for what purpose?
3. In Mark 6:7-9, what specific instructions did Jesus give to the twelve apostles for their journey?
4. How did Father Jack describe his initial feelings and experiences when he started altar serving? [26:14]
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does Amos' background as a herdsman and dresser of sycamore figs tell us about God's choice of individuals for His work? (Amos 7:14-15)
2. How does the concept of being chosen "before the creation of the world" in Ephesians 1:4-5 impact our understanding of God's love and purpose for us?
3. Why do you think Jesus instructed the apostles to take nothing for their journey except a staff? What might this teach us about reliance on God? (Mark 6:7-9)
4. Father Jack mentioned that his journey to priesthood involved community and mentorship. How do these elements contribute to one's faith journey? [27:19]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt called by God to step away from your usual activities. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [29:08]
2. In what ways can you quiet the noise of the world to better hear God's personal call in your life? What practical steps can you take this week? [29:08]
3. How can you rely more on Christ in your daily life, especially in situations where you feel unprepared or inadequate? [32:27]
4. Father Jack emphasized the importance of the Eucharist as nourishment. How can you deepen your appreciation and participation in the Eucharist? [30:53]
5. Think about your own community and mentorship experiences. How can you contribute to the faith journey of others in your parish or small group? [27:19]
6. What specific actions can you take to bring Christ to others in your daily interactions, as part of your mission to build His kingdom? [33:36]
7. How can you recommit to your mission of building God's kingdom in your everyday life? What changes might you need to make to align more closely with this mission? [33:36]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Personal Call
Each of us is chosen by God for a unique purpose. This calling is not based on our merits but on His love for us. We must quiet the noise of the world to hear His voice and follow Him more perfectly. The Prophet Amos and St. Paul both speak of being chosen by God, not because of our merits, but because of His love for us. This calling is not just for the prophets and apostles but for each one of us. We are called to step away from the noise of the world and follow Him more perfectly. [29:08]
Jeremiah 1:5 (ESV): "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations."
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt a strong sense of purpose or calling. How can you create space in your daily life to hear God's voice more clearly?
Day 2: Reliance on Christ
Jesus instructs His apostles to take nothing for their journey but a walking stick, teaching us to rely solely on Him. Our mission is to bring Christ to others, not through our own strength, but through His presence within us. This reliance on Christ is a powerful reminder that we are to depend on Him for everything. Our mission is to bring Christ to others, not through our own strength, but through His presence within us. [32:27]
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you are relying on your own strength. How can you begin to rely more on Christ in this area today?
Day 3: Nourishment from the Eucharist
The Eucharist is the most perfect nourishment we can receive. It strengthens us to follow Christ and to be His hands and feet in the world. Each time we come to the altar, we are reminded of His love and our mission. The Eucharist is the most perfect nourishment we can receive. It strengthens us to follow Christ and to be His hands and feet in the world. [30:53]
John 6:55-56 (ESV): "For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him."
Reflection: Reflect on your experience of the Eucharist. How does it nourish you spiritually, and how can you carry that nourishment into your daily life?
Day 4: Community and Formation
Our faith journey is enriched by community and mentorship. My own journey to priesthood was shaped by my parish, youth group, and seminary experiences. We are called to support and guide one another in our walk with Christ. Our faith journey is enriched by community and mentorship. We are called to support and guide one another in our walk with Christ. [27:19]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: Think about the people who have mentored and supported you in your faith journey. How can you be a source of support and encouragement to someone else in your community?
Day 5: Mission to Build the Kingdom
After being nourished by Christ, we are sent out to build His kingdom. This mission requires us to bring Christ to others in every act, prayer, and relationship. We are called to recommit to this mission daily. After being nourished by Christ, we are sent out to build His kingdom. This mission requires us to bring Christ to others in every act, prayer, and relationship. [33:36]
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Reflection: Consider one specific way you can bring Christ to someone in your life today. How can you make this a daily practice in your mission to build His kingdom?
Quotes
### Quotes for outreach
1. "The Lord chooses us. The Lord calls us, each of us, individually. It's so easy in this world to get caught up in the noise, get caught up in how we ought to be, how the world says we must be. And really, what these readings this weekend are telling us is that first, first know we are the Lord's. We are first his." [29:08] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "No matter the sin, no matter our past, no matter what we've been doing, good or bad, the Lord calls us. The Lord chooses us. Chooses us to step apart from the regular day-to-day grind, the day-to-day life, and to follow after him more perfectly." [30:25] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When we go out, when we are sent out, we are to take nothing but Christ. He will be with them. They will do everything in his name. Every act, every prayer, every encounter, every relationship. It's not that we have to bring something of ourselves. No, that doesn't work. It's fruitless when we are the ones doing it. But Christ remains with us." [32:27] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The Lord feeds us from this altar. Each time we come to him, each time we have a readied heart to receive him more perfectly. Because the Lord chooses us, therefore we can approach him, and we receive him. We receive all the nourishment we need, most perfectly in the Eucharist, both in the word that is proclaimed to us, the gospel, the readings, but also in the Eucharist." [30:53] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The Lord is still calling us, still calling us deeper into communion, deeper into relationship so that he can nourish us more perfectly and then send us out again refreshed, ready to take his spirit into the world." [33:36] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for members
1. "The future of the church is quite literally in this church now, but also especially in our school. So what a great blessing that we have such a healthy school and continue to grow even more." [23:29] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "It was through being faithful to go into youth group each week, getting to know those various friends I made there, the leaders of the youth group at the time, really helped me to recognize, oh, I have a vocation. I have, well, we all have a vocation, but the Lord particularly wants me to do something with my life in service, first of him, but also of my brothers and sisters." [27:19] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The Lord chooses us in Christ to be his beloved children, adopted children, the Lord choosing us again, the Lord choosing us to be his own. And so many of us might struggle with this. How can the Lord choose me? In normal Illinois, how can the Lord, or why would the Lord choose me? But he does, because he made us, and he made us for himself." [29:48] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus summoned the twelve and began to send them out two by two. So after the Lord chooses us, after he nourishes us, he sends us out. This is something I think sometimes we don't always, we don't always get this part. We might understand that the Lord calls us to do something in life, but the Lord is also sending us back out." [31:22] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And so I think this evening we pray for the grace to let the Lord choose us anew, choose us in a fresh way because we might be, however young we are or old we are, the Lord is still calling us, still calling us deeper into communion, deeper into relationship so that he can nourish us more perfectly and then send us out again refreshed, ready to take his spirit into the world." [33:36] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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