Do you find your daily work and life boring? Are you aware of God’s presence in your daily routine? What can you do to sanctify your daily work? - Daily Reflections January 13,2014

ENCOUNTERING GOD EVEN IN DAILY ROUTINE

 

Brothers in the Bible do not have a good record. Cain killed his brother Abel. Jacob cheated his brother Esau. But Jesus seemingly had no qualms about having brothers among His disciples. There were many fishermen working on the Lake of Galilee, but Jesus chose brothers from all these fishermen — Simon and Andrew, John and James. They were simple, ordinary people without a university degree. Jesus did not look so much on what they were but on what they would become by following Him.

       Jesus called them not when they visited the Temple in Jerusalem. He called them in the ordinariness of their daily work. We, too, don’t have to wait until we are in church to hear God’s call. He is present everywhere, even in the dullness of daily routine. The Jesuit spirituality of “finding God in all things” invites us to search for and find God in every circumstance of life, not just in explicitly religious situations or activities.

       And so, we can do our daily work in the presence of God and do it for Him. Spiritual writers call this transformation of daily work and routine as “sanctification of work.” It is the condition for being guided by Him every hour of the day and “hearing” His call as the four brothers heard Jesus’ call.

       “Follow me!” Jesus did not give long explanations or even tell them where He would lead them. And they didn’t ask either. They just left everything behind and became Jesus’ companions for the rest of their lives. They might have heard Him preach before.  Nevertheless, to follow Jesus without hesitation is something we can only admire.

       Young people now face more and more difficulties in responding to God’s call. Insecurities about themselves, worries about their families, and bad influences have become major obstacles to following Christ. As you read this reflection, please say a prayer for all the young people whom Christ has called to the priestly and religious life and have difficulties making the positive decision to follow Christ’s call. Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Do you find your daily work and life boring? Are you aware of God’s presence in your daily routine? What can you do to sanctify your daily work?

 

Lord, make me open and sensitive to Your constant presence in my life. Help all those You call to be able to overcome the obstacles they face that they may say a generous yes to Your call.