This page was updated 02/09/2007 02:09 PM Click here for Men of Epiphany home page

Men of Epiphany will be meeting this Saturday, February 3rd, 6:30 a.m. in the Hearth room. If you can make it, this study is a marvelous preparation for each week's Mass readings.

Invite someone to come with you!

Click here for a PDF of this week's study.   Click here for the study in a Word document.

God Desires to Reveal Himself to Us, Do We Believe It?

Sunday, February 4, 2007
Isaiah 6:1-8
Psalm 138:1-5,7-8
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Luke 5:1-11

Click here for readings  (For quick review only; bring your Bible)

When was the last time God got your attention? Think back to the last time you found yourself speechless because you had come face-to-face with some manifestation of his love, his power, or his majesty. How did it happen? Did a passage from Scripture pierce your heart? Was it through the beauty of a spectacular sunrise? Was it in the birth of a baby?

In the readings, we see three different ways God spoke to his people. In the gospel, we see Jesus amazing Peter with a large catch of fish (Luke 5:5-8). The first reading tells how Isaiah was cut to the heart by a vision of God’s heavenly throne (Isaiah 6:1-4). And in the second reading, we hear how Paul received the gospel both through personal revelation and through the testimony of the apostles (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). God speaks in so many different ways, but one thing is always the same: He wants to reveal himself to us.

On one level, the Bible is one big story of God revealing himself again and again to his people. It begins with Adam and Eve, and progresses through Noah and his family, to Abraham and Sarah, then on to David the shepherd who became king, to Isaiah and the other prophets, then to a young woman named Mary. And it didn’t stop when Jesus came into the world. The New Testament is filled with stories like Peter’s and Paul’s, Lydia’s and John’s, and so many others. And every one of them had a personal encounter with God that radically changed their lives.

With all this evidence, how can we doubt that Jesus wants to reveal himself and his great love to us? Even more importantly, how can we doubt that he wants to reveal himself to us today? At Mass, or as you go through your day, keep your eyes and ears open. Jesus is everywhere. There is no place we cannot find him.

“Lord Jesus, what do you want to say to me today? How do you want to show yourself? Come, Lord, and open my heart so that I may know your loving presence with me.”

Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men

1. In the first reading, God asks, “Whom shall I send?” Isaiah responded, “Send me!” St. Teresa of Avila once said, “Yours are the eyes through which the compassion of Christ must look out on the world.” Share with the men some areas of service to the Lord in your life. In what way may God be asking you to be of even greater service to him in today’s world?
2. The responsorial psalm speaks of giving praise, thanks, and worship to the Lord for all he has done. How would you describe what the Lord has done for you?
3. The responsorial psalm also asserts that God “built up strength within me.” Can you share an example of how God has strengthened you when facing difficulties in responding to his direction?
4. In the second reading, St. Paul refers to his own conversion and how God’s grace “has not been ineffective” in him. While maybe not as dramatic as St. Paul’s, can you share an example of when Christ touched and turned your heart?
5. In the Gospel, we hear Jesus say to Simon Peter, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” After a fruitful catch of fish, Jesus tells Peter, James, and John that they will now “be catching men” (be fishers of men). This story also reminds us of how “fruitful” we will be if we only seize the moment and heed Christ’s promptings, especially in sharing our faith with other men. Share some times during the past week (or month) when you were attentive to the promptings of the Spirit and “seized the moment,” and times when you may have missed some opportunities to do so.
6. In the meditation, we hear of God’s desire “to reveal himself to us” and the various ways he does it? Do you believe that God wants to reveal himself more deeply to you? Why or why not? If this has already occurred in your life, share it with the men in your group, especially its impact on your life. What additional steps can you take to make yourself more available to God’s revelation?
7. In the meditation, we hear these words, “So place your hope in Jesus. He will not fail you. Make the decision today to give your life to him, and watch him prove himself to you all over again.” Using the prayer at the end of the meditation as a starting point, take some time to make a deeper commitment of your life to Jesus Christ.

Come Holy Spirit!  ~  Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and en kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your spirit and they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. Let us pray: O God, you taught the hearts of your faithful by sending them the light of your Holy Spirit. In that same spirit give us your right judgment and the joy of your consolation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

Prayer to St. Joseph  ~  Glorious St. Joseph, guide and protector of the Holy Family, we ask that you obtain for us from your son, Jesus, the strength and wisdom to lead our families to their Father in heaven. Most Chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may we imitate your obedience to the will of God and be ever mindful of the vocation to which we have been called. Amen