FRIDAY OF THE 8TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

28 May, 2021

Sirach 44:1. 9-13,

Psalms 149,

Mark 11:11-25

PASSION AND PURPOSE

How can you be a person full of energy and fire in life? What helps you to push on even when the going is tough?

In the Gospel of today we meet Jesus full of energy and zeal for his mission. It is evening and Jesus goes into Jerusalem and he decides to carry out a thorough inspection of the temple; “Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked round at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany.” Jesus is definitely pained at the sight of merchants who have turned the temple into a den of robbers.

The following day, as Jesus was coming from Bethany, feeling hungry and not finding any fruit in the fig tree, even though it was not yet season for fruits, Jesus curses it; “May no one ever eat fruit from you again”

Immediately after cursing the fig tree – which withered to its roots - , Jesus goes into the temple in Jerusalem and, full of zealous for God’s house, he (alone, without any assistance from the local police); drives out those who are doing business, overturns tables and seats, drives out all the merchants without allowing them to carry anything, calls the merchants a bunch of thieves; “But you have made it a den of robbers,” and then he proceeds to preach with authority until everybody was astonished at his teachings; “..all the multitude was astonished at his teaching”

How was Jesus able to achieve all these within one evening and a day? What gave him the energy, the fire and the enthusiasm for his mission? – Its passion and purpose.

Who and what are you living for? Who do you want to be? When we can answer those questions clearly and briefly, then we know our purpose, and our purpose can fuel our passion. Jesus Knew very well of his purpose, which was to fulfil the will of His Father on earth.

Purpose without passion lacks energy and fire. Passion without purpose lacks focus and direction. Passion is the energy of our soul. Passion is, “Intense emotion compelling action. A strong devotion to some object, activity, or concept.” Jesus had a strong devotion for God’s temple and that is why he could not stand its abuse by the merchants.

The power of purpose and passion increases willpower and changes lives. Jesus was able to bring about temple reforms because he had purpose and passion for his mission. Steadfastness of spirit and the worthiness of our purpose overcome frustration. We need a worthy purpose so the frustrations of life don’t inhibit the purpose of life.

People lack passion for a variety of reasons, such as, familiarity of our family members and friends. We live in an age where many people live vicariously through others rather than pursuing their own lives. Perhaps most especially, people lack passion because they have no purpose beyond themselves.

Realize that God desires passionate Christians. Romans 12:11; “Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord,” Luke 9:62; No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Whether we are proud of our past, ashamed, or a mix of both, Jesus calls us onward to make the most of our days, for God’s sake.

The German philosopher Georg Hegel observed, “Life has value only when it has something of value as its object.”

Are you an on purpose person or a “whatever happens” person?

What is your life’s purpose? Realize that God desires purpose driven and passionate Christians.