Click here for today’s Scripture readings.

1 Corinthians 6:1-11
Luke 6:12-19

Introduction:  “Head in the clouds, feet on the ground!”  Many of the spiritually wise among us often use this homey and somewhat trite maxim to describe the Christian life.  It may sound a bit worn, but time and experience, I suggest, will bear out its truth and insight.  We might take it to ourselves as we look at Jesus in today’s Gospel: up in the mountains to pray; down on the ground healing the troubled.

As we reflect on today’s Gospel “Head in the clouds, feet on the ground” will find a truthful ring.  Here we find Jesus spending the night up in the heights, in the mountains,  some might say, “in the clouds.”  We also find him down the plain, standing firm “on the ground” welcoming the crowds coming from all Judea, Jerusalem and the coastal regions, coming to be healed of their diseases of body and soul.  In desperation they reach out to touch Jesus, to know within them the power flowing out from him.

A friend shared a phrase with me many years ago “Jesus Christ is balance!!” It has stayed with me as a “rule of thumb” for theology, prayer and mission.  This engaging word picture we have in Luke’s Gospel, (6:12—19), seems to bear out a balance we find in Jesus.  Here we find him balancing his life, prayer and mission.  Yes, he’s up high in the mountain, “in the clouds,” then followed by what was most likely an intense interaction down on the ground “healing the crowds of their infirmities, even those tormented by demon spirits!”

Even Jesus’ prayer with the Father was not detached from the reality of his mission.  While still “up there” before he “descended from the mountain to stand on the plain” Jesus engaged the practicality of his mission — selecting and naming the twelve apostles.  We might speculate, did the decision to select and name the Twelve come during prayer?  Or had Jesus already decided but went to prayer that his decision have the Father’s fullest blessing?  Whatever the reason, Jesus’ prayer was not separated or detached from his intimate conversation with his Father.  His head may have been “in the clouds” but his feet were firmly  “on the ground.”

What can help me keep the balance in my life, prayer and mission on behalf of others?  One way might be to ask myself, “am I praying or am I saying prayers?”  Saying prayers may meet some imagined obligation or keep me on a self-imposed prayer schedule.  Or do I try to “go up higher” to allow a place in my prayer for the Holy Spirit to speak?

What about my reaching out in service or mission to those around me?  When faced with problems of those troubled by the problems and pressures of life, am I dependent only on my own wit and wisdom or do I acknowledge my powerlessness by opening my mind and heart for encouragement and guidance from the Holy Spirit?  It would help were I to try to balance in my life, prayer and mission.  Yes, to keep my head in the clouds and my feet on the ground!

Fr. Lucian Clark, C.P. is a member of the Passionist community in Union City, NJ and is the Director of Passionist Volunteers International.

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