SIEMPRE ADELANTE

Amos 8:4-6,9-12; Ps 119 One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God; Matthew 9:9-13

Here is an excerpt from Pope Francis Homily for the Canonization of Junipero Serra this past september.  Today is his feast day.

Father Serra had a motto which inspired his life and work, a saying he lived his life by: siempre adelante! Keep moving forward! For him, this was the way to continue experiencing the joy of the Gospel, to keep his heart from growing numb, from being anesthetized. He kept moving forward, because the Lord was waiting. He kept going, because his brothers and sisters were waiting. He kept going forward to the end of his life. Today, like him, may we be able to say: Forward! Let’s keep moving forward!

When Jesus invites Matthew to follow him in today's gospel, it is is an invitation to keep moving forward.  It is an invitation to the great adventure of sharing the joy of the gospel.  It is an invitation to blaze new trails of life and love. 

It is an invitation to cast off mediocrity and to be concerned with things that matter most of all. 

"Follow Me."  
This is not just for the ordained or religious professed but this is for all of us.  Each of us find our joy in heeding that invitation of JEsus, "Follow Me!"

It means we unite our hearts in love to Christ, hunting our hearts to the love of Christ.  This is what it means to follow and move forward.

Let us all keep moving forward in the joy of Christ: Siempre Adelante!