Keeping Our Eyes on Christ
BY DOUGLAS LEAL | August 14, 2023
Sunday’s Readings
How intensely Paul suffered over the rejection of the Gospel by many of his fellow Jews! Of course I’ve known suffering, as we all have, but I don’t know that I’ve ever wished myself “cut off from Christ” for the sake of others, as Paul does. There are a lot of things that frustrate me, even anger me. The world consistently fails to live up to my expectations, and that includes me! I wish the state of our world, our nation, my community, my church, and yes, myself, were different, and sometimes—often—I’m overwhelmed by it all. What can I do? What can God do, and why does God sometimes seem so indifferent? Paul must have wondered the same. He recounts all the blessings the Israelites have received from God, but in his estimation, they’ve missed the one blessing who is “over all”—Christ.
Image: Stormy Sea, Emil Nolde, 1930 (public domain)
Our work for justice (along with all our other obligations) can be so all-consuming that it’s easy to lose sight of Christ. That seems to be what happened to Peter, as he noticed the wind and the waves and began to falter. It’s a good reminder for me that all my work counts for nothing if I’m not being led by Christ. I need to stay focused on him in the midst of my work, following his example to take a break from my work and spend time in prayer, listening for that tiny whispering sound so I can hear his call. I can’t change the world by myself, just as I can’t still the wind, but I can keep my eyes on Christ and follow where I think he’s leading me. Paul did the same. Despite his disappointments, he continued the work he was called to and allowed God to do the rest.
For Reflection:
- What might God be calling you to do right now, and what might God be calling you to let go of?
- Have there been times in your life you’ve lost sight of Christ and faltered? Have you experienced Christ reaching out to catch you? What was that like?
Douglas Leal serves as Chief Mission Integration Officer with Providence St. Joseph Health, a multi-state Catholic health system. He also has experience as a management consultant and as a professional actor and director. Douglas is a frequent presenter on spirituality, faith formation, liturgy, and other topics, and is the author of the skill-building book for lectors, Beyond Reading: Advanced Training for Proclaimers of the Word (LTP).
What might God be calling you to do right now, and what might God be calling you to let go of?
God is calling me to pay attention to His prompting to serve Him and others in our lives. So this morning as I get ready for the day I ask God to be especially with me so I can offer the sacredness of His whisper or trumpted blast to serve Him and the others I meet throughout the day. In the Ignatian sense I ask the Lord to be especially aware of those treated unjustly or poorly in our society so that they may realize the fullnes of God’s graces throughout the day.
What is God calling me to do right now? He is asking me to use the talents he has given to me. To do simple things with great love.
What is calling me to let go of worrying about money and having a regular income. To simply trust in Him and do as He asks each day.
There were times when I was far from Christ and faltered, but I have always been brought back to Him by the love of others, especially by my own children. They reminded me that the spiritual input into one’s daily life is the most important aspect of our lives each day.
It is so important to daily nourish our whole selves, to keep our physical bodies, thoughts and feelings in good health. To live with joy and gratitude.
He must increase. I must decrease.