Goodnews january/february 1997 [antikvár]

The Call of God Charles Whitehead "They got up and followed him" In the Gospels I'm always impresseci by the response of ordinary people to the call of Jesus. All he had to say was "follow me", and they got up and followed him. In Matthew 4 he calis Simon and Andrew, then James and John. Their response was immediate - "they left their nets at once and followed him", and "at once, leaving the boat and their father they followed him". It seems to me that fishermen are not the sort of people to drop every thing and follow just any itinérant teacher who happened to be passing by. They were practical, down-to-earth people, and no doubt wary of religious and politicai nomads. But there was something very special about Jesus, some-thing that was immediately recognised by ordinary people. Why then do we often find it hard to answer the cali of God today? Usually it's fear of change - we don't want to leave the familiar and move on to something new and unknown. I always have a long list of questions to work through before I'm prcpared to get up and fall in behind Jesus. But I find consolation in the fact that some of the other great men and women in the Bible also found it difficult to accept what God was asking of them -Moses for one. NSC^S PRICEINCREASE FOR GOODNEWS Unfortunately due to production and postage increases, starting from the May/Tune issue we will have to put up the price of Goodnews. There has been no increase since 1992 and as we are now not covering our costs particularl y the postage and losing money we have no option if we wish to continué pub-lishing íl We hope, however, that you will still keepsubscribingas wefeel that Goodnews will still be excellent valué and the best way to keep informed about what is happening within the Charismatic Renewal in this country and abroad. Itisan important source for coming events and the work of new and exciting ministríes, as well as for its excellent and soundteachingand inspiring testimonies. Goodnews is totally non-profít making and all writers generously give their services free to help keep costs to a mínimum. We thank them for this and for the Goodnews prayer partners who pray for the magazine every month. "Who am I to do this?" In Exodus 3 we find Moses with his sheep at Horeb, the mountain of God, also called Sinai. There God speaks to him from the buraing bush, and teils him to go back to Egypt to bring the Hebrew people out of slavery. Moses then produces five reasons or excuses for not doing what God has just told him to do. Firstly, "Who am I to do this?" Secondly, "If they ask me your name what do I teil them?" Then, "What if they will not believe me?" Fourthly, "I am a slow Speaker and not able to speak well". And finally, "Lord, send anyone you will". I must admit I have every sympathy with Moses - I've used almost the same excuses when the Lord has asked me to do something. But God patiently answers Moses' first four objections: I shall be with you; Iamwhol am, the God of your fathers; thesignsofmy power will convince them; and I shall help you speak and teil you what to say. But at the fifth objection "the anger of the Lord blazed out against Moses" (Ex. 4:14). This was obviously one argument too many! Even so, Moses obtained a concession -Aaron was to go with him to do the talking. In this dialoguebetween God and Moses we see that God does equip and provide for us when he sends us out in his name, and the most important thing is his assurance "Ishall FR. IAN PETIT CELEBRATION DAY As many of you will already know by now, Fr. Ian Petit OSB, one of the early pioneers of Catholic Charismatic Renewal in this country, died on November 2nd last year (See Pages 6 - 9). Many of the NSC were at his funeral but other friends and admirers throughout the body of Christ have felt it would be appropriate to have a day of célébration for his life and ministry to which all could be in vited. A provisional date of Bank HolidayMay 5th, 1997, has been decided and the venue will be either in London or Birmingham. Further détails of this will follow in Goodnews. PSALM TAPE Shortly before his illness and subséquent death, Dave Payne from the NSC office managed to capture Fr. Ian's beautiful voice on tape, when he persuaded him to record some of his favourite psalms, These have been put together with songs by Eamon Pugh of the Upper Room community, and have proved to be a wonderful prayer aid. The office has already despatched hundreds of copies. Those who would like a copy for themselves or to give to friends should contact the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of- be with you" (Ex. 3:11). If God is for us, who can be against us?