My Purpose

Homily for Wednesday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time

At the very end of today’s Gospel text, Jesus makes a statement regarding his mission. "To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent." This statement gave me an opportunity to consider my purpose at this stage of my life.

As a young man and a newly ordained priest, I was assigned to teach at a high school seminary while also serving as chaplain for a senior citizen community. In a way, I had the best of both worlds. My teaching assignment afforded me the opportunity to use my own education to assist others in their intellectual growth. My assignment as chaplain gave me the opportunity to use my newly minted sacramental ministry as a priest. However, now that I am retired and at the other end of the spectrum of work, my purpose in life is not as clearly defined as it was in my youth. Now, age and an accumulation of health issues provide a steady hum of distractions which can leap into a crescendo of surprising interruption in my planned days. Now I try to find purpose in these “holy interruptions”, turning to find God’s design for me in the ever-surprising challenges of every day.  In being present to you and every day circumstances that are my gift from God lies my purpose.

Like Peter’s mother, who was healed of her sickness and immediately rose and waited on those around her, like the many others who came to Jesus with various diseases, may we respond to Christ’s healing presence in our lives by turning to serve.