>>As I was reflecting on this gospel passage, I came in my mind’s memory, a story about my younger brother Pete and I when we were little boys, maybe ten years old, he’d been eight. We loved camping in the backyard of our home in Mount Prospect in a little pup tent. And I remember one night we got out of the pop tent and we were just staring at the stars in the sky.
 

We had a flashlight that had a little button on it.  And in our conversation and kidding around, we started playing with the button on the flashlight and knowing that light travels forever into the universe and beyond. We started sending signaling – signals into outer space.  Flashing the light on and off.  Communicating that this place is a good place, this Earth. Seeing if we could contact with aliens from another world. I had forgotten about that until I read the scripture, and I remembered maybe about 30 years later after we had done that in the backyard, my brother and I were standing outside – he’s a wonderful guy – and we were looking and my brother turned to me and he said, “Do you think they ever got our message?”  

I didn’t know what he was talking about, and it reminded me of that story when we were little boys sending light into the universe, inviting others to come in to see what we’re all about. Do you think they ever got the message? You know, I look at the world today, and although very hopeful, I sometimes wonder if people understand the message, the invitation that is eternal from Jesus.  Who called his disciples.  

Who has called all of us to calm and to follow in his ways, to be disciples of the Lord, to live the faith, not only by what we say, but by what we do.  To be agents of transformation in the world, to enhance, to make better the life, that’s what we’re called to do as Disciples of the Lord Jesus, as believers. I love that image, that picture, as it were in my mind’s eye of Pete and I standing in the backyard as little kids signaling into outer space. Knowing that the invitation continues even today because light travels forever. Knowing that the invitation of the Lord is constant and consistent in our lives and the lives of all disciples and believers.  Come and follow, make a difference in this world as my disciple and know that you’re loved.