Being part of the extraordinary

     One of the greatest challenges to our lives is complacency.  In every aspect of life, especially when things are going well, we feel complacent - and we tend to "go with the flow", to drift, to move into auto-pilot.   The temptation then is to relax, for all is as it should be.

     But is this the case?  When we pride ourselves with expressions of "peace and security", when the status-quo seems to be enough, we neglect the challenge to move from the ordinary to the extraordinary.  And when we fail to go beyond the norm, we open ourselves to the disaster that comes in the darkness of night, or the hardness of heart, or man's inhumanity towards others, or most deadly - unconcern regarding our relationship with the Lord and those that he places before us.

     Our first reading at liturgy today is found in 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-6, 9-11.  The author reminds us that we are different.  God did not destine us for wrath, but to gain salvation through Jesus Christ.  We are called to be extraordinary, to go the extra mile, to stay alert and sober.  Most importantly we, as family, are to encourage one another and build one another up in the name and spirit of Christ.  There is no place for complacency.  There is no drifting through life as if there is no urgency to our life situation.  There is no room for "going with the flow", for the time is now, is always NOW, to walk with the Lord and share in the blessing of his love.  We are to be encouragers of others, the strength of those who are weak, the surety of those confused, the hope to those deeply challenged.  This is our work.  This is our responsibility.  This is our gift to be shared with others.

     In these first two months of retirement I have found myself on auto-pilot at times, simply drifting into an ordinary routine, and allowing complacency to touch my life and ministry.  The task of encouragement and building others up in faith has not diminished, and neither has my desire to serve the Lord and his people.  I entrust my ministry to the deep and generous love of God.