Last summer I had the opportunity to serve as a hospital chaplain. I would receive a list of the patients on a particular floor, I would begin by first getting my paper work all lined up, and I would systematically go from room to room. Nothing was extraordinary about the process, I streamlined my paperwork and my visits. One day, as I was going through my list, I knocked on a patient door. My introduction was similar and ordinary to all my other visits. "Hello, my name is Michael and I am a chaplain here at the hospital would you like me to come in." Many times before the patient would deny the visit request or others would welcome me in for a short visit; but this visit was different! The patient welcomed me with tears and was very nervous. She recently visited her family practice doctor who had her directly admitted to the hospital. An immediate surgery was requried and her anxiety and fear was coming to light. She had prayed to God to send her someone and I walked in the door! After a thirty minute conversation, we finished with prayer, and she said, "thank you for being an answer to my prayers!"
It was then, my modern skepticism kicked in. I doubted her statement. I counted that patient as part of my daily rounds and I wanted to dismiss the supernatural from this natural coincidence. It wasn't until my own supervisor challenged me and asked me why I couldn't see God working in each one of my visits, including this last visit!
This past Sunday, the Gospel was about Jesus entering his home town. It was there Jesus was not accepted. "A prophet is not without honor except in his native place" (Mk 6:4). The people were quick to dismiss the supernatural just for the natural. He leaves in the Gospel pointing to their lack of faith.
In the Gospel story, I was the person with little faith in that hospital story. I didn't see how God could work in the natural and ordinary! In my own ordinary schedule, my own ordinary work, and in my own ordinary life with all its brokenness and weaknesses!
This past Sunday, the Gospel was about Jesus entering his home town. It was there Jesus was not accepted. "A prophet is not without honor except in his native place" (Mk 6:4). The people were quick to dismiss the supernatural just for the natural. He leaves in the Gospel pointing to their lack of faith.
In the Gospel story, I was the person with little faith in that hospital story. I didn't see how God could work in the natural and ordinary! In my own ordinary schedule, my own ordinary work, and in my own ordinary life with all its brokenness and weaknesses!
It is in this context that the second reading from the Mass from St. Paul's became all the clearer, "I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me."
The Lord's work doesn't work in the extraordinary, but finds itself in the ordinary (see above Kierkegaard quote). Jesus was born in a small town of Bethlehem, lived in a smaller town of Nazereth, and was raised as a Carpenter's son. There is nothing extraordinary about that. Even more so, there is nothing extraordinary about the 12 disciples he chose as Apostles either: from fishermen to tax collectors. What makes the story so extraordinary and supernatural is how the Lord loved us in the in the ordinary!
And it is that what I took away from the Gospel this past Sunday: It is because of the Lord's love us in the ordinary that we become extraordinary! Let us allow the Lord in to our schedule, work, and lives and see the extrodinary things that will come from His Love.
The Lord's work doesn't work in the extraordinary, but finds itself in the ordinary (see above Kierkegaard quote). Jesus was born in a small town of Bethlehem, lived in a smaller town of Nazereth, and was raised as a Carpenter's son. There is nothing extraordinary about that. Even more so, there is nothing extraordinary about the 12 disciples he chose as Apostles either: from fishermen to tax collectors. What makes the story so extraordinary and supernatural is how the Lord loved us in the in the ordinary!
And it is that what I took away from the Gospel this past Sunday: It is because of the Lord's love us in the ordinary that we become extraordinary! Let us allow the Lord in to our schedule, work, and lives and see the extrodinary things that will come from His Love.
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