Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time
February 9, 2003


What does an ‘average day’ in your life look like?

Today's gospel - continues "a day in the life of Jesus" - and it is as busy and as hectic as our can be. So what can/does it teach us? It begins with him having risen early in the morning for prayer. He enters the temple –and prays and teaches and instructs. Then he leaves. Because that is not the only place God is found. He travels to Simon's mother in law's house. Does a cure. Eats dinner. Spends the evening with the sick and possessed. Finally, after a long, long day - calls it quits. Then, he rises early in the morning - to put things in perspective - and to see where God is to be found in the midst of all that Chaos. A day in the life of Jesus. God is found, not despite of all the activities that Jesus is a part of - but within all of those. God lives within the stuff of his day. So too, with us, it is not in spite of the things we do, the relationships that we keep, the commitments of our lives, the moments of solitude- but within them that God is to be found.

It was by every measure, a very full day for Jesus. Yet, are ours much different? Between classes and eating and homework and work, and interacting with people, you and I also lead very full lives. And the danger is the same for us as it was for Jesus - to be so caught up in all that happens here, that we miss the bigger story. It is easy to forget what we are about, or if not forget, at least put the priority in the wrong place. That is the wisdom coming to us from Steven Covey and the seven habits people. Do the important things first. Make sure that you do the important things…

Jesus - at the end of a very busy and hectic day - lays his weary head to rest - falls to sleep - but awakens early the next day- why? - because he senses something is not right. It's too easy. The prophets have all been rejected - yet- he is about to be treated like a hero - should he stay. He'd just cured the whole town, taught well, - he's ready to be crowned. But something disturbs his sleep. So he rises early and is absorbed in prayer. And there, in the midst of his solitude, as he reflects on the day - all of its relationships, its healings, its teaching, its solidarity with the poor - he discovers not only the finger of his God - but the finger of His God telling him to Move out. It is not enough to work just in Capernaum. It is not enough to work and live amidst his disciples' relatives and his friends - No - God has something more in store for him. And so he sets out. And it will lead him to the cross.

And it is the same for us. We gather because God lives here in the midst of our day. In the midst of all that goes on at UM St. Louis- God is found. It is good that we gather to celebrate being every Sunday night. This is part of the kingdom - but it is not enough. If what we do here stays here - then somehow we've missed the boat.

So - I invite you, take some time to go through an "average day in your own life - And ask two questions: How is God found here? In the midst of all the business and activity, is there an abiding sense of presence? If not - perhaps one of those poles is missing - solitude, service, relationships. And then as the second and more difficult question - the Jesus question: “Is this the place that I need to be- or am I being called to something 'more" something different?”

It was an ordinary day in the life of Jesus, made extraordinary by his reflection and prayer. It is an ordinary day in our lives as well. May we make it extraordinary by the prayer we give to God and the decisions we make from this place…