In today's gospel we see Jesus involving himself in the ordinary lives of people. He was at Peter's house where he healed Peter's mother-in-law. As a result of his presence among the people, the whole surrounding neighborhood brought their sick and ill so that Jesus could heal. That is why Jesus came: To be a human like us, to live and share our daily lives, to do whatever it takes to bring the Spirit of healing into our lives.
Jesus performed miracles in his life. But the pastoral worker, or any Christian, need not perform miracles. It is enough just to be there and listen.
In the past two weeks, I had been deployed to provide comfort and healing to factory workers whose coworker died in an industrial accident. Two young coworkers who witnessed the accident were suffering normal trauma symptoms after the incident. They shared praised for their mentor who was intelligent in his job and had a wonderful sense of humor. After listening to their pain and giving them the tools to cope with this difficult memory, they both plan to return to work today. Most reassuring after they attended the funeral Mass, they hung up his holy card with the picture of their mentor on their refrigerator door as a reminder of his gift to each of them. Sometimes the best thing we can do is listen. Jesus did a lot of it in his ministry.
A motivational speaker once said there are two kinds of people in this world: those who say "whatever" and those who say, "Whatever it takes." And he's right! Some people live their lives with the motto of a petulant teenager on their lips, "Whatever." Have you ever asked a young person to do something that you think is important and have them shrug their shoulders and respond, "Whatever?" Some people are like that with regard to their faith. In fact, let's turn this into a responsive reading. I'm going to make some statements. After each statement I want you to answer with a shrug, "Whatever." Say it with a loud sigh. "Whatever." O.K. Jesus said to love your neighbor. "Whatever." Jesus said there is more rejoicing over one sinner who is found than the ninety-nine that stayed within the fold. "Whatever." Jesus said that when you have done it to the least of these. "Whatever."
Now, let's change our response from whatever to "Whatever it takes." OK, let's try it. Jesus said to love your neighbor. "Whatever it takes." Jesus said there is more rejoicing over one sinner who is found than the ninety-nine that stayed within the safety of the fold. "Whatever it takes." Jesus said that when you have done it to the least of these. "Whatever it takes." Are you and I, like St. Paul, willing to do whatever it takes to win the world to Christ?
Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends, like Jesus, Paul was willing to go the limit, to do whatever it takes to win souls. In today's glimpse of a life in the day of Jesus, we can see that Jesus was too. He did not glory in hanging around where he had performed miracles, but he went on, with the aid of his life of prayer to the Father to guide him, and he spread the Gospel. We are called to do the same.
