Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
The lives of the great Catholic Saints always seem so remarkable to me, and for good reason. By the inspiration of their example, the witness of their faith, and through the grace of Christ made available through their prayers, we are able to grow in our own discipleship of Christ and all that that includes. Nevertheless, we may look at the lives of the saints and still feel discouraged, thinking to ourselves, "I could never do that" or "I'm so far from being a saint." It's easy to subconsciously confuse the saints as being superhuman. But in reality, they are actually the most human, because to be human is to be in union with God. All of us are called to sainthood, to dwell with God forever in this life and in the next, even if the cause of our beatification or canonization is never taken up. We are husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters. By many standards, perhaps even our own, our lives may not seem extraordinary. But because we are first disciples of Jesus, we have been called to live ordinary lives in extraordinary ways.
Today's first reading from Hebrews briefly and beautifully describes some of the noteworthy heroes of the Old Testament, including Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, and Samuel. This passage is preceded by further commentary regarding Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses. From the descriptions of these spiritual all-stars, the author of Hebrews provides the reader with an inspiring portrait of religious faith, which is the common thread between each biblical figure. We read how these men of faith "put out raging fires, escaped the devouring sword... Others endured mockery, scourging, even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, sawed in two, put to death at sword's point... The world was not worthy of them." Their spiritual resume of endurance, self-giving, and martyrdom is impressive. Yet, the author of Hebrews notes that God had foreseen something better for us - the fullness of faith experienced and lived out in our discipleship of Jesus, however simple and seemingly ordinary.
Today's gospel from Mark recounts the story of a possessed man who remains nameless in Scripture. Rather than providing a litany of spiritual accomplishments as we previously read in Hebrews, Mark's description of the man is a story of possession, physical and spiritual shackles, desperation, sadness, solitude and self harm. Finding hope, healing and salvation in the person of Jesus, the unnamed, formerly possessed man pleads with Jesus to remain with Him. Interestingly, Jesus does not permit him to do so. It's almost a shocking response because it's difficult to imagine anything that could be more extraordinary than following the physical person of Jesus. Instead, Jesus tells the man to simply "Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in His pity has done for you." This command somewhat lacks the luster, the excitement, the adventure, and the extraordinary nature of remaining with Jesus. However, taking a closer look, I think Jesus is making a statement about what it means to be a disciple. Because this man had been among the tombs and on the hillsides, day and night, often in shackles, it's very doubtful that he had seen his family in a long time. In this way, Jesus seems to be calling the man to a different type a discipleship, uplifting the prominence of the family, and returning him to an ordinary life to be lived in an extraordinary way.
Mother Teresa was quoted as saying, "We can do no great things, only small things with great love." Today, with gratefulness, humility, and great love, may we encounter God in the ordinary events, the small things, the simple responsibilities, and the seemingly insignificant moments, especially those moments that we spend with our family. Amen.
-Ryan Mahle