Focus

When I was shopping in a store that caters to industrial safety customers today, I saw a dry-erase board behind the counter that had poignant or funny quotes written on them. I found out, after asking the girl who was waiting on me about it, that some of the sayings were written by customers. I thought it was a neat idea! One of the statements that I thought was pretty funny was, “Some people are like ‘slinkys’. They’re not very useful but they’re fun to watch when you push them down the stairs.” Another that was food for thought was a drawing of a guy with one of those “finger gloves” that you see at ball games to signify “We’re #1!” But this guy’s glove had 3 fingers. He said “I’m number 3!” Right next to it was a list: #1---God. #2---Others. #3---Me. Pretty good. He obviously understands Matthew 22:38.
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I was so tired after work today that I actually thought I might miss Mass. I said to myself, “It’s not like it’s a First Friday!” as a means of justifying my reason for not going. Then I realized it IS the first Friday of January, so I went. I’m so glad I did. If I had not, I would not have heard the homily that the priest, an African Marian missionary, gave. He started out with, “Humans look for insurance. God delivers assurance.” It has given me a couple of hours of good fodder for meditation!
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Saturday, January 8 is the last day of the Christmas Season. The nativity scenes that have not been removed already from the Churches will probably be so before tomorrow, the First Sunday of Ordinary time. It always seems a little sad to see the end of the Christmas Season in the Church calendar. Yet it is not the end; there can be a new Christmas gift for us whenever we receive Jesus in the Eucharist. Jesus will “come” to us whenever we allow ourselves to be open to his presence in our prayers and in our daily activities. We can celebrate and treasure his coming throughout the year.

John the Baptist provides an excellent example of a loving openness to Jesus. John was very successful and highly regarded by his followers, but people began questioning when both he and Jesus were baptizing. He compared his relationship with Jesus to that of the best man who rejoices in the presence and joy of the bridegroom. John was able to celebrate Christ’s coming in all that he did. He clearly saw his own role as a supportive one.

In any type of ministry it is possible for us to lose sight of its true purpose. If the ministry is successful, it is very tempting to get caught up in the success and accolades from others while forgetting that the success was because of Jesus’ presence and direction. If the ministry is a failure, it is tempting to lay blame on someone else or on oneself rather than to examine whether Jesus was allowed to direct our actions. John the Baptist teaches us about a true humility when he identifies the need for him to decrease his own presence, and for Jesus to increase his. Can we do the same, always keeping Jesus in the front of all that we do? Can we be ever mindful that we are only instruments and that Jesus will direct everything that we do as long as we allow him to and get out of the way?

Today, let’s consider consciously setting aside time to sit with Jesus to discern His truth for our lives. Let Him delight in us, His children. Let Him love us where we are at and become the focus of our lives once more. Let’s ponder His love for us deeply today, wherever we are, whatever we do. Let the Lord increase Himself in each of us this day. Focus, focus, focus.