Jesus continues his ministry of healing and preaching in this week’s Gospel. He gets his strength from his daily communion with his Father. Prayer is the first and last act of a follower of Christ. Contemplation complements action. Many get burned out because they forget how essential prayer is in their lives. Do not forget to say a prayer before, during, and after any activity.

We must always listen and watch for God’s love in our lives. Sunday’s psalm states, “If today you hear God’s voice, harden not your hearts.” Although we all struggle at times, it is God’s love that keeps us strong. With God taking care of us we have nothing to fear. Like the call to the Israelites, we should never harden our hearts, but instead be in peace with God’s everlasting love.

The people of Nineveh were given the opportunity to reconsider their actions during Sunday’s reading. Maybe we should also take time to think about the things we do. When we consider the things we need to change in our life, it is there that we find the call to follow Christ. The disciples left their work and followed Jesus. It may not be that drastic for us, but we are called to have a greater consciousness in our mission as Christians in this world.

To serve others is not an easy thing. Often those whom we serve fail to demonstrate even the slightest bit of gratitude. To serve is not glorious and does not bring fame or fortune. Yet, it is what we are called to do as the children of God. In Christian life, becoming a servant is the only path to follow Christ. Jesus told his disciples that he did not come to be served but to serve and to bring salvation for everyone. To serve is our greatest dignity because it provides a measurement of who we are, just as it did to Jesus, the Servant of God.

You don’t have to be extremely wise to understand the difficulties that could emerge in relationships between people of different cultures. In Sunday’s readings we are told that Epiphany (the manifestation of God) is for everyone. God wants to manifest himself in all people because he loves everyone. He is here for all cultures and all nations, and no one is excluded. The gifts from God originate from everyone, because we all have riches and blessings to give, and they are offered to all through the Father.