Last week while walking on the school yard of one of our schools I noticed in the distance the obvious body language between two Grade 8 boys that indicated they were about to re enact a royal rumble! Power walking over to the site of what could become the next World Wrestling Federation Match I stumbled upon two young men angry at each other. When I asked them - so why are so angry at each other - they both in unison replied “ I don’t know!” and then the telling comment “we have never liked each other.” My replied was instant “Why?”. Their reply very telly “ we don’t know”.
Can you relate? Do you have anyone in your circle of life who well - you just don’t like them - and you don’t know why? Or you had an argument with them - years ago - and to be honest - you can’t even remember over what or maybe even now see how unimportant it really is!
For the last two weeks - since the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord - we have been focussing on the invitation listed by God’s word to “Accept the Challenge”. Sometimes we have accepted the challenge, or are even being told to accept the challenge - that - well we forget why!
To Accept the Challenge - we have been discovering - is to well - be Alive - show signs of Christ’s life in us; its been about ensuring that others know Christ is still alive because of us.
- Christ Himself accepted that challenge as He accepted “Who He Was and Whose He Was”
- Christ Himself accepted that challenge by often praying in order to stay close to the Father.
- Christ Himself accepted that challenge by not living in coincidence but by seeing moments of life as “God winks” occasions when He was called to give hope.
This is the challenge of discipleship which we are called to live - it’s the call we are challenged to accept - to be His hand when another needs it as we build the Church. For, as we know - this is no Holy Huddle - but a place of Holiness, in the presence of Holiness, to become a people of Holiness.
But I guess, now we come - to the How? Well today’s Gospel (Luke 1:1-4,4:14-21) has Christ going into the synagogue on the Sabbath and proclaiming that the Spirit of the Lord is upon Him. These are pretty strong words of acceptance!
- Christ, who at His Baptism accepted Who He was!
- Christ, who in His Mission sought times to pray.
- Christ, who in His daily walk of life - looked for moments not coincidences - but when He could make a difference in the life of another and share hope.
- Christ, who on His Sabbath gathered among the faithful in the place of worship to grow in holiness.
- Christ who says to you and me that the reason He was able to do these things was because He accepted that God’s Spirit was upon Him! - do you ?
Do you believe that God has invited you with your gifts to be someone unique?
Do you accepted that God has infused you with a talent that will make a difference?
Do you accent to the fact that God created you not only to know Him, and love Him, and serve Him but to make a difference in the life of at least one other person - in His name !
That is what Christ believed - are we not His followers, disciples? Should we not believe that? Is that not the challenge we are called to accept?
O, but Father, you might say, I am doing that - been a member of a group for 40 years - done that - I checked that off my list long time ago?
Really now - so when Jesus healed the first blind man, when He made the first deaf person hear, when the first man who was lame walked away after His miracle - was He done? Did Christ check it off His list - or did He keep looking?
That is what Christ did - are we not His followers, disciples? Should we not do that? Is that not the challenge we are called to accept?
We must build into our lives moments to stop and think ! To not always just “get it done”, “finish it off”, “just do it”, but occasions to allow the scripture to be fulfilled in your hearing! To allow His will for us to be accomplished - His challenge to not only be accepted - but met and fulfilled!
This week had occasion to go to our local nursing home. Following Mass I went and visited one of our residents who did not come down for Mass. Lovely lady who was feeble. Her husband was in the room and soon her daughter came as well. We had a nice visit, but during it the elderly lady became physically ill. As she recovered and all was well again the daughter began to call for the nurses to come and clean up a bit. The husband got up and began to clean. The daughter said - dad - stop that - no need for you do clean up after mom - that is what the nurses are for. The husband paused - “really, they did not say I do - I was the one who did - and this is what I meant.”
When you say “I do”, when you accept the challenge of discipleship - what do you mean?
“ The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” (Luke 4:14-21)
That is what Christ said. Are we not His followers, disciples? Should we not do that? Is that not the challenge we are called to accept?
This week - will you try and make a difference - allow the Spirit of the Lord to work thru you - don’t check it off when you think it has been done - just keep doing it - cause if you do - not only will your remember why you said “ I do” - but it will be full filled in your presence.