Luke 5 -- After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me", Jesus said to him. Luke 5:27 .

Tax collectors were government employees responsible for the collecting of taxes. They were looked upon as robbers because in most cases they charged more than what the law required. Levi was one of them, but at the instant that Jesus called him, he left everything and followed him. He immediately decided to follow him and did it without trying to hide his first occupation. His house was in Capernaum and his office was probably on the main road near the Sea of Tiberius. Levi found himself in the middle of doing his work when he was called by Jesus to follow him and to leave behind all of his tasks.

It is difficult for us to imagine a day when we might be sitting on the front steps of our house, and that Jesus would pass by and invite us to follow him. But if that were to happen today, would we be willing to do so? In the midst of our occupations and of our daily lives, the Lord calls us and invites us to accompany him.

PRAYER: We pray, Lord, that there may be many who decide to respond to your call when you say "Follow Me". Amen

Translated by Elisa Menocal

THE PRESBYTERY OF SANTA FE -- is coordinating a trip to the island of Cuba, for November 5th- 14th this fall. Over the years, dozens of people from Shepherd of the Valley have had the blessing of visiting Cuba, and seeing our sisters and brothers at our sister church, San Nicholas de Bari. Our members have returned to the US amazed at the Christian faithfulness of financially impoverished, but spiritually wealthy Christian Cubans with who they've interacted. The cost of the trip is a bit over $2000 per person, and the deadline for registration is a week from now. If you are interested or have questions, contact Wayne Ciddio, Bryan Beck, or Susan Smith, who will be leading the tour.