Growing into who we are

In the frantic and busy lives of our families, it can be difficult to get a measure of our own gifts, let alone the gifts of our spouses and children. It can be quite an eye-opening experience to hear people talk about your gifts or your children’s – ‘Is this my son?’ ‘Are they really talking about me?’

My two sons are teachers. They’re great teachers, so I’m told – and that’s from their principals. Are these the hyperactive kids who zapped through our lives and drove us crazy? Well, yes they are. Seeing what is right in front of our own eyes can be obscured by the closeness of our relationships. Try and remember conversations your aunts had about various relatives – as if they could foresee how everyone would turnout!

From the liturgy this week the Gospel (Mark 6:1 – 6) tells the story of how Jesus returned home and on the Sabbath taught in the local synagogue.  His old neighbours and relatives were astonished: Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary? The consequence of which was that Jesus was unable to perform any mighty deeds there because of the lack of faith.

A staff member recently attended a school reunion on the northwest, and the surprises and not-so-surprising stories that emanated from the lives of old school friends found ready ears. Reunions are great opportunities to evaluate our own achievements, to acknowledge the success of our peers, to reacquaint, to remember. We see latent talent blossom into enterprise, emerging gifts become surgeon’s hands, inquisitive minds flying jet planes, inventive ingenuity creating farming implements and nascent tenderness leading to devoted parenthood.

The true measure of who we are and what we are capable of becoming is seen through the eyes of faith, and having those who love us, nurture us and teach us, believe in us, to have dreams and ambitions for us that will be unfettered and liberating.

If we choose to realize the potential in others, in our children or spouse or friends, we must learn to have faith and be faithful so that mighty deeds will be performed in every home, in every classroom and workplace. And, not for a moment should we underestimate the power of God.