We receive messages every day, whether they come by note, voicemail, text message, e-mail, twitter or even snail mail. We are subject to advertising messages on television, radio, the internet, in magazines and newspapers, on buildings, in store windows. We have skywriting proposing insurance coverage, bus seats suggesting attorneys and billboards advertising weight loss procedures. On a drive from home to the store, we probably pass by a few hundred signs that we don't even notice from road signs to advertisements.

To what signs do we pay attention? Obviously, the signs that we notice will be the signs that have particular meaning to us in our given situation. If we are looking for a house number or for a product, we tune ourselves into that type of sign. Other signs that we will notice are those that, even though we might not be looking for them or expecting them, speak to us on a personal level. They touch our hearts in a way that we cannot but respond.

Jesus called the Apostles in this week's Gospel in a way that made them leave behind their whole way of making a living in order to follow. What would it take to answer a call in so radical a way?

Jesus continues to call men and women to a radical new way of life. When we have a relationship with Jesus, our understanding of everything changes. When we listen to his invitation to discipleship, everything we do becomes a response to that call. As we begin this New Year, we are challenged to make our response one of blessing that brings Grace, Peace and Consolation to others in God our Refuge.