Daily Reflections ...

The disciples have been on the road with Jesus for some time now, listening to him proclaiming the kingdom of God and witnessing him curing disease and casting out evil. There is a sense of urgency in Jesus about his mission, he is bringing to birth God breaking through in new and surprising ways.  The disciples however never seem to grasp the expanse of this mission, maybe it’s just too big, too different, too inclusive. Today we encounter the disciples wanting to silence someone because he is not part of their circle. This unnamed man who has come to know the power of belief in Jesus in an unknown way does not fit into their neat categories. Jesus assures them that this man indeed belongs to the kingdom of God!

We too can get caught in how we expect to see the power of Jesus at work today. We too can set up categories in our minds about who belongs to the kingdom and who doesn’t. The problem with this isn’t just the need to be more inclusive in our thinking, it’s about us not recognising God who does breakthrough in new and surprising ways. Through our baptism we share in the mission of Jesus. We have all received gifts, gifts that are only effective when used in service. The urgency of the mission still exists, we need to embrace our own giftedness and rejoice in the giftedness of others, even when their ways may seem strange to us.

Whenever and however light breaks through darkness God is breaking through into our lives, our families and communities, our world. Today let us look with eyes of faith to see the power of Jesus working and let us commit ourselves to be generous in service of the kingdom.

by Sister Kari Hatherell osu