A quick question: how many will be watching the Super Bowl? I say, go Bucs. Now if you don’t like football, consider the advice of humorist Andy Rooney: find something you don't like about one team -- say, the color of their uniform -- and cheer for the other team. It will make things more interesting for you. I definitely will enjoy the ads.
In the Gospel according to Mark, Jesus makes a house call to Peter’s mother-in-law. Jesus heals her. Townspeople suddenly appear at the house, with their sick ones. Jesus works signs and healings and exorcisms that signal the in-breaking of the kingdom of God.
Now imagine if we were at Capernaum that day; what so called demon or addiction or character flaw (e.g., greed, lying, prejudice, alcohol or drugs) would we ask Jesus to drive out of us?
The Risen Christ, by virtue of the waters of baptism, empowers each of us to choose our better self: to give our time and talent for others. That is what our baptismal calling is all about. Every one of us has gifts or talents that can empower or “build up” other people.
It often seems our culture is celebrity-driven, but celebrities -- like Tom Brady -- are not the only people with talents. You and I have special gifts or talents by virtue of our baptism.
Within Christian life there are many splendid vocations or callings. Father or mother, teacher or student, doctor or lawyer, business person or artist, whoever you are, you have a specific calling: to give your time and talents for others, to take a stand by doing the right thing, especially by being an example of such a lifestyle. We possess the power to believe, to hope and to love.
And what makes us a missionary disciple of Jesus is the Spirit of God within us. Oh, personality can be a blessing. But more importantly the Spirit of God works through us as we are. The Spirit illumines our mind to know the way we should behave, and strengthens us to behave in that way despite obstacles. The Spirit gives us gifts: “love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and discipline.”
That Spirit empowers us to help others become more human, more godlike, in our relationships with other people.
Here's a little reflection or prayer I found that sums up some of these thoughts about meaning and purpose:
Fortunate are the
persons,
Who in this life can
find,
A purpose that can fill
their days
And goals to fill their
mind.
For in this world there
is a need,
For those who’ll lead
the rest,
To rise above the
“average’ life,
By giving of their best!
Will you be one, who
dares to try
When challenged by the
task,
To rise to heights
you’ve never seen,
Or is that too much to ask?
May each of us realize that the purpose in life is to make
a difference for the better
by giving our best in service
to one another, by always seeking the greater common good.
