The social media site Facebook now boasts some 1
billion plus users worldwide. It is the most used social media site in
existence. Internet marketers discovered years ago that Facebook could be used
to sell products. Although Facebook is and has always been free, advertisements
appear in the sidebars, and increasingly, in the "suggested" or
"promoted" posts that show up in users' news feeds of recent posts.
In December, Facebook introduced "call to
action" buttons on their pages. Companies can use these buttons to ask
their followers to take some sort of action—anything from signing up for a
newsletter to purchasing a product. It is well known among Internet copywriters
that people are more likely to take action if they are asked to do so directly.
When Internet advertisers and bloggers write, a call to action is an important
part of the attempt to market products and services.
The gospel stories are a call to action. However,
not every one is willing to get in line to volunteer or join a church. To
admire Jesus without trying to change our lives does nothing for Jesus or for
us. Yet how exactly does one follow Jesus? Some say that we do this by trying
to imitate him. But that posits a further question: How do we imitate Jesus?
We imitate Jesus best when we try to imitate his
motivation, when we try to do things for the same reason he did. We begin by
reading the scriptures and meditating on the life of Jesus. Then we pray to
Christ and ask him to instill in us his desire, longing, and motivation. In
essence, we pray to Jesus and ask Him to make us feel the way He felt while He
was on earth.
Last Sunday, our parish was shocked when they
heard that a long-time parishioner had died in Florida. This set in motion a
longing to do something for the family to bring them comfort. What I noticed
was motivation at its best. The doors of this church were wide open to receive
family and friends for the wake. People greeted mournful family and neighbors
with compassion. The people joined the grieving family members in prayer to
remember the “soapbox memories” of their mother. The choir sang their hearts
out and family read the Scriptures and shared their stories about their mom who
gave birth to eleven children.
It was standing room only in the church and
everyone was invited for a feast at the local fire hall. The hospitality team
served casseroles brought by neighbors that fed a multitude. And yes, there
were even spirits available in honor of their mom who loved her “happy hour.”
All the children and guests toasted mom with a nip of her of favorite rye.
So when someone asks you, what does it mean to
imitate Jesus? It’s that desire to rolled up your sleeves and offer the best of
yourself.
Now Sonshine Friends, this is your “Call to
Action.” I would ask that you click onto Holy Family’s website: www.holyfamilynnc.org and/or
Facebook page; www.facebook.com/holyfamilyncc and share your thoughts
about this community. Forward “Today’s Sonshine” to all your Facebook Friends
and see if we can reach a million hits.
