So you’ve been nominated to serve on parish council! What are you thinking and feeling? Are you uncertain, feeling honored, ready, confident, concerned, disinterested, delighted, unworthy, curious, surprised, open? Is your first, unguarded response likely to be: “I’m too busy!” “Great timing!” “It's about time!” “Now’s my chance.” “Help! I haven’t a clue!” “I’m not that religious.” “Could God really be calling me... (Or are they just desperate?)” How will you respond to this invitation?

One person's story...
Entering Jericho, Jesus passed through the city. There was a man there named Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector and a wealthy man. He was trying to see what Jesus was like. First he ran on in front, but being short in stature he was unable to do so because of the crowd pressing in front of him. Finally, he climbed a sycamore tree along the route to get a view of the man he’d heard so much about. When Jesus came to the spot, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry down. I mean to stay at your house today.” Zacchaeus quickly descended and welcomed Jesus with delight. [Adapted from Luke 19:1﷓10]

Zacchaeus wasn't the most popular man in his town or the most learned. He wasn't even very spiritual. Those in the know in Jericho were overheard to mutter (under their breath, of course) that Jesus had gone as a guest to the home of a sinner! Zacchaeus probably didn't plan for it to happen that way, but taking the risk to see Jesus more clearly opened up a whole range of possibilities for him.

His experience was not unlike that of a whole host of men and women we read about in Scripture, men and women who one way or another, listened to a call to take a risk and respond in faith. Can you see yourself among them?

• Matthew 4:18-22
• Matthew 28:1-10
• 1 Samuel 3
• Jonah 1, 2, 3

For additional information, contact Noreen Welte in the Office for Parish Councils and Planning , 414-769-3378, welten@archmil.org.