Daily Reflections - January 27,2013

YOU ARE THE ONE

 

One day, the employees of a large company were greeted with a sign on the front door that said: “Yesterday the person who has been hindering your growth in this company died. We invite you to join the wake in the gym.”

Everyone was sad to hear that one of their colleagues had died, but after a while, they started asking who this person might be. They went to the gym to pay their last respects, wondering, “Who is this person who was hindering my progress? Well, at least he’s no longer here!”

One by one, the employees got closer to the coffin. When they looked inside, they suddenly became speechless. They stood over the coffin, shocked and in silence, as if touched in the deepest part of their soul. Inside the coffin was a mirror. Everyone who looked inside it could see himself. And next to the mirror was a sign that said, “There is only one person who is capable of setting limits to your growth: YOU.”

Today’s Gospel is an occasion of induction, inauguration and anointing. Jesus came home to Nazareth, his hometown, and entered the synagogue. In the midst of everyone listening, Jesus embraced the mission He was sent to accomplish. After reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah, Jesus boldly declared, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” He was the one all the prophets and laws of the Old Testament spoke of. When everyone had fallen away on the sidelines, Jesus kept His hands on the reign, for He is the one.

Have you had that moment in your life when God confirmed you in your unique mission? Have you embraced that mission? Just like the story above, “you” are the only person who can really define your life and your happiness — not your circumstances, not your fortune.

Your life does not have to change when your boss changes, when your friends change, when your job changes. Your circumstances may change — they are beyond your control — but your response to these changes depends on you. Fr. Joel Jason

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Are you just flowing or floating along the river of life? Swim with the opposite tide. Remember, only dead things float along the river.

 

Lord, thank You for the wonder of my being. Help me discover my uniqueness and summon the strength I have as a child of God. Guide me as I chart my destiny to the best of my abilities.