Purpose

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Purpose

Plan   Create

Preaching   Healing   Casting Out

I Have Come Now

Salvation

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Mark 1: 38

Jesus spoke to His disciples and told them, "Let us move on from here to the surrounding towns and so that I can share the Good News there as well. I have come for this purpose."

Reflection

I think that we all realize the need to have a purpose in our lives. It gives us a focus each day. It gives meaning to our lives. 

A purpose is a statement of belief that we can fully embrace. We wake up with excitement and energy because we want to work out that purpose in our daily lives.

Jesus at this point in the Gospel of Mark is at the beginning of His public ministry. He has been very successful in curing a man who was possessed, curing Simon's mother-in-law, and healing many others in Capernaum. He was much in demand in the town.

It would have been easy for Jesus to stay there and to accept the praise from all those who were benefiting from His ministry.

Jesus knew, however, that there was more to be done. He went off and spent some time in prayer and realized exactly what His purpose was. He was called to share the Gospel with those in the surrounding area. 

He was not going to stay in His "comfort zone". He was going to continue to share about the Kingdom of God and to invite all those He encountered to follow Him by reaching out to those in need.

The example of Jesus is an invitation for us to reach out to those who are on the margins as He did. We can reflect on our purpose and ask ourselves is there any better purpose than to share the faith that we have been given by God.

Like Jesus we can come out of our comfort zones and reach out to those in other areas whom we have never met but who are waiting for some Good News.

Let us embrace our purpose as Jesus embraced His!

1. What is your purpose in life?

2. Does your purpose give you excitement and energy?

3. How important is prayer in finding your purpose in life?

4. How difficult is it for you to move out of your comfort zone and to take on a new challenge?

5. How does Kathy's photo help you to find your purpose in life?

(Scriptural adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)