Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Keep your eyes fixed on Christ, because His are fixed on you: Daily Mass Homily--Tuesday, February 3rd, 2015


(Listen to this homily here).

             I’ve mentioned recently that my cross-country team in college had go-to verses to motivate us for races.  We had one of them today that is dear to my heart: “Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith.”
            The support of a crowd while running is an amazing thing.  I have experienced this first hand while running marathons.  I may be dead tired, wanting to lie on the sidewalk and wait for an ambulance, and the cheers or a personal word of encouragement keep me going.  Such support actually gives a runner adrenaline for a second-wind and makes a huge difference.
            We need such support to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.
            It is interesting that our Gospel features two different crowds.  In the first, the woman afflicted with hemorrhages got to Jesus among a crowd.  Presumably she fixed her eyes on Jesus and touched his cloak.  She was healed and heard, “Daughter, your faith has saved you.  Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”
            If you’re like me, you continue to find ways to help you focus more on Christ.  This is certainly a great practice.  But remember another important feature from what happens with another crowd in this Gospel.  This crowd surrounded a dead child.  Jesus “…entered the room where the child was.  He took the child by the hand and said to her, ‘Talitha koum,’ which means, ‘Little girl, I say to you, arise!’”  Jesus had his eyes fixed on this girl.
            Jesus’ eyes are fixed on you.  Never forget this fact!  Jesus, as described poetically by Francis Thompson, is like a hound of heaven.  He is hunting for you!
            Today keep your eyes fixed on Christ, because his eyes are fixed on you.

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