St. Matthew Catholic Church

Weekly Message     

Calling You by Name

Dear brothers and sisters,   

     In a world where you are known by a number, a digital footprint, fingerprint, or just another face in the crowd; there is a profound, life-altering truth: God knows your name. Today we celebrate “The Good Shepherd Sunday ”or “Vocation Sunday”.

     When God calls you by name, He is declaring that you are special, and chosen like Abraham, Moses, Samuel, David, Peter, Paul, just to mention a few. "He calls his Own sheep by name and leads them out."(John10:3) It is a personal whisper to your heart. It means your history hasn't disqualified you nor have your mistakes erased your identity. Your current "label"(the one the world gave you) is temporary, but the name He has for you is eternal. Jesus calls you while you are still" in the field."Just like The heroes of the Bible. Think of Mary Magdalene at the tomb; she was blinded by her grief until Jesus simply said, "Mary". In that one word, her world shifted from despair to resurrection. When He calls your name, He is breaking through shame, loneliness, failure, etc. and gives you a purpose.

     “I have called you by name; you are mine."(Is.43:1). Jesus is calling you out of your “comfort zone” or “grave”, where you’ve become stagnant, numb, silent, helpless, lost or hopeless and into a life of intention or purpose. "He isn't calling for a "better version" of you. He is calling you, exactly as you are, to show you who you were meant to be.

     On this vocation Sunday, I invite you, young men to hear the call of Jesus to His priesthood, to the sacramental, liturgical and pastoral ministries of Jesus Himself. In my family we are 3 boys; all of us are priests for Christ. I invite the parents to encourage your sons to priesthood to join Christ’s mission.

Blessings!

Msgr. Xavier Pappu
                     Insert:  Giving to God/Dar a Dios.pdf

                                    Please pray for vocations to the priesthood,
                              for the Priests of our Diocese; & for our Bishop.

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