Chris and I finally gave our talk last night on the Sacrament of Marriage to the men and women going through RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation) at our Church.Watching this group of men and women commit themselves to nine months of weekly meetings to learn about their faith and grow in their relationship with God is quite inspiring!  They are answering God’s invitation and call in a very unique and special way. 

As this group of seekers shared with each other and with us last night, I was reminded again of that ongoing rhythm of our faith:  God calls.  We respond.  This pattern of call and response is repeated over and over again throughout history.  God called people.  They responded.  God called Abraham.  He responded.  God called Jeremiah.  He responded.  God called John to prepare the way.  He responded.  God called Mary to carry His son.  She responded.  God called the disciples to follow Jesus.  They responded. 

This same pattern of call and response is still present in our lives today.  God is constantly calling us into relationship with Him.  All God is asking of us is to respond and participate in a relationship with Him.  Last night, this group of men and women assembled served as a strong reminder of that for me.  They all had responded to God’s invitation to participate. 

This morning I read this scripture from John 1: 38-39.  Funny thing…it was yet another example of call and response.  John had told his disciples as Jesus walked by, “Behold, the Lamb of God.”  

Becky Eldredge

Becky is an Ignatian-trained spiritual director, retreat facilitator, and writer. She is the author of the Busy Lives and Restless Souls (March 2017, Loyola Press) and The Inner Chapel (April 2020, Loyola Press). She helps others create space to connect faith and everyday life through facilitating retreats and days of reflection, through writing, and through spiritual direction. With nearly twenty years of ministry experience within the Catholic Church, Becky seeks to help others discover God at work in the every day moments of people’s lives by utilizing St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises and the many gifts that our Catholic faith and Ignatian Spirituality provide.