YOU ARE CALLED

In this Fourth Week of Advent St. Paul, in his Letter to the Romans, tells us that he is a slave of Christ, called to be an Apostle. It is worth noting here that a slave is one who does his Master’s will, not his own. The word Apostle means to be sent. So, St. Paul is telling us he has been sent out to do his Master’s will, his master, of course, being Jesus the Christ. For St. Paul, this meant that he was to travel the known world, preach to great crowds, and to meet with individual groups of Christians to instruct and guide them.

You too are called to be apostles so to speak, by going out and making disciples of all nations. Does this mean that everyone is to stand on street corners preaching the gospel, or knocking on doors? No, the laity is called through Baptism and the other Sacraments to be a slave of Christ; to do the will of Christ. It is through the Church that we are called to help spread the Gospel and make disciples for Jesus.

So, how is this supposed to be done? It starts with prayer, not just private prayer but with the public prayer of the Mass. Jesus called us to pray in community as well as privately. It’s at Mass where we receive Jesus in his Word and physically in His Body. The Eucharist is food for us to go out and do Christ’s mission. Nowhere else will you get this than in community at the Mass. We are also called to participate publicly at devotions in the Church. There is great power in community prayer.

Secondly, we have to serve others out of love for Christ, especially the stranger. We are to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, house the homeless, visit the sick and imprisoned, and bury the dead. These are merciful acts that may take us outside the parish walls and out into the greater mission field. When the opportunity presents itself, how do we react?

Thirdly, let us talk about tithing to the Church. We cannot go out and serve everyone personally, no one can. But there are opportunities for tithing so others can go and reach those in need in the name of Jesus. The Bishop’s Appeal is the major fund to reach out to those in our diocese. Through donations on Missionary Sunday and to Catholic Relief, you are helping to bring the Gospel to those in the greater world. Maybe you also will see in the upcoming year opportunities in your parish to help those in need.

These are things that allow you to spread the Gospel and make Disciples of all nations for Christ. St. Paul and the Apostles didn’t do it all by themselves. We are the Church. We are willing slaves of our Master, Jesus the Christ.

Viva Cristo Rey!
Deacon Gary