Moving on and beyond

Good News ReflectionWednesday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary TimeSeptember 2, 2009
Today's Readings:Col 1:1-8Ps 52:10-11Luke 4:38-44http://www.usccb.org/nab/090209.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_09_02.mp3
Moving on and beyond
Temptations didn't stop challenging Jesus after his 40-day ordeal in the desert. There's one in today's Gospel reading. Can you figure it out? It was a subtle temptation, but very significant.
After being rejected in Nazareth, he became hugely popular in Capernaum. The people asked him to stay, because they wanted more of what he could give. Should he give it to them? That would certainly seem like the caring thing to do. Plus, his ministry could thrive there, since he was well-liked. It was easy, comfortable, and he was familiar with the community. It offered the opportunity to accomplish more. The location was ideal, because Capernaum was a popular trading port and many people passed through on their way to many varied places, and they could spread the word widely.
The Holy Spirit nudged him during his prayer time: Don't stay. It's time to move on.
How easy it is to stay where we're accepted, where we feel needed and wanted, where we're liked. It feels so right that we don't even ask the Holy Spirit if it's God's will that we remain in the same place and ministry. If he nudges us to make a change, we disbelieve it because it doesn't make sense. And so we hold ourselves back from moving on.
We stay in our current jobs, even when God has something better in mind. We stay in the same Small Christian Community, even when God wants us to grow into leadership and start a new group so that more people can get involved.
We stay where it's easy and familiar, even when God tries to stretch us into new growth and higher levels of trust.
We stay where our egos get stroked, even when the humble walk of holiness means turning away from those who know us and appreciate us, so that we can meet and minister to new people.
If you've been comfortable with anything for very long – especially in ministry – very likely God is inviting you to move on and beyond. Will you say yes to following Jesus wherever he leads? Even when it doesn't make sense or feel easy?
God doesn't ask us to forsake everything and everyone that we leave behind. Jesus returned to Capernaum again and again. But by staying where we are, we do some good, usually the same good, and by moving on and beyond, we do far more good than we could ever imagine.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue... Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe