Col 3:1-11 / Luke 6:20-26 (2017 / 2023)
To be focused would usually mean to keep our eyes fixed on a target or on the object of our concentration.
To get an idea of what it means to be focused, we just have to see those documentaries on the wild life and see how the big cats were hunting their prey; their predator eyes were fixed on their prey in the chase and nothing would seem to distract them.
In a deeper sense, it also means more than just having a fixed line of sight on our targets or objectives.
It would also mean that our hearts are directed and fixed on what we desire in order to achieve our goals.
St. Paul told the Colossians in the 1st reading that they must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is.
Their thoughts must be on heavenly things and not on the things that are on the earth.
The imagery is powerful in that when they get distracted and start to turn their eyes to the things of earth, then they will be lured by the things of earth - fornication, impurity, guilty passion, evil desires and greed.
But in the gospel, it is Jesus who was fixing His eyes on His disciples as He taught them about the kingdom of God.
His focus is also on us as He calls us to strive to live the teachings of the kingdom of God in our lives.
May we also be focused on Jesus so that we commit our lives to Him here on earth, our reward will be great in heaven.