What is your focus?

We’ve had an era of evangelists who told people they could be saved by believing in Jesus.  Full stop.  Yes it is true.  But the good news does not stop there – we each have a calling – a specific purpose for our lives.  We are saved by grace and it is as easy as that, but if we are for real then our actions and willingness to listen to what Jesus says must give evidence of our faith.  So….  We believe in Jesus.  Now what?The readings today are directions for a people who’ve believed in Jesus.  The readings give directions about our serving God …. And our calling. 

Most important in this calling is our focus. 

Are you tired of doing good?  Do you strive to do good only to find that it is unappreciated and that when you are in need those who you have supported have vanished? 

God's secret agent!

As workers in God’s harvest we are given a mentor in the Old Testament reading about Elisha and the healing of Naaman’s leprosy.  Naaman brought a large amount of money to receive the healing, but Elisha didn’t accept it.  In fact Elisha didn’t do anything in the way that Naaman expected and this made him indignant and angry. 

We may sometimes find that people are offended by us also (particularly in our tendency to be uncompromising in our focus on the things of God), but be encouraged by the ending of the story.  At the beginning of the story Elisha tells the King to send Naaman to him so that he will know that there is a Prophet in Israel.  The purpose in the healing was to show the reality, power and mercy of God.  Though Naaman was initially offended, after being healed he became a worshipper of the one true God.  He was not merely healed but also converted. 

Elisha was clear in his purpose and focus and therefore he had definite boundaries.  He knew that he had to refuse the money, and he knew that he had to refuse the fame, adulation and acclaim that would come through performing a miracle.  Would we be able to do the same? We can choose a position of honour as God’s people and enjoy the comfort it brings but will it produce the harvest that God is calling us to prepare?  I’m often reminded of a book I read in primary school, “No flying in the house”, about a girl who was half fairy and half human.  She reached a point where she had to choose what life path she’d follow.  Each one had its charms and sacrifices. 

This life that God puts before us has a choice also.  We are sent out like sheep among the wolves, just as the 72 that Jesus sent out.  In many times we will cry out like the Psalmist for relief from the miry depths.   The calling of God upon our lives is a calling into eternity with promise and purpose beyond the grave.  In this calling is amazing adventure, miraculous providence, purpose and meaning for life now and beyond. 

The followers of Jesus experienced all the ups and downs in extreme.  We hear their excitement recorded in the Gospel: “The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name."  He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." 

And here once again we see Jesus refocus His followers back to what is important – names written in heaven – lives united to our God who, as the psalmist tells us, His anger lasts only a moment but favour for a lifetime -Our God who loves us so much that he died for us.   

This adventure involves sacrifice and uncompromising focus on the Goal. You are called to be God’s 007.  Your calling will unfold as you continue to focus on eternity and God’s love.  This is your calling.  This is your mission- Will you accept?

The links below are to recomended sites with sermons:
sermons from Laughing bird.net

St.Louis University Centre for Liturgy- Catholic site in US with lots of insights and commentaries on readings
Link to liturgy tools