FROM THE SERVANT GENERAL
OUR THEME FOR 2021
(Part 19)
OUR MISSION – 10
March 30, 2021
Today’s readings:
Isaiah 49:1-6
Psalm 71:1-17
John 13:21-38
Today’s reading from Isaiah is the second of four “servant of the Lord” oracles. It continues to echo our theme for this year. “I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” (Is 49:6b). That is quite a task. Jesus did it. The apostles and disciples did it, continuing with the work of Jesus. We too do it today.
There are a number of truths we need to know about God’s call to us.
- We have been destined for this work, from all eternity. “Before birth the Lord called me, from my mother’s womb he gave me my name.” (Is 49:1b).
- Our call is to be holy warriors, proclaiming the salvation of Jesus. “He made my mouth like a sharp-edged sword, concealed me, shielded by his hand. He made me a sharpened arrow, in his quiver he hid me.” (Is 49:2).
- We are servants of Jesus, by whom God will manifest His glory. “You are my servant, in you, Israel1, I show my glory.” (Is 49:3).
- God’s intent is to bring back His people to Himself. “That Jacob may be brought back to him and Israel gathered to him” (Is 49:5b). Today we look to reaching many lapsed Catholics.
- Since this is God’s work and we are privileged to participate in it, we look to His strength to accomplish it. “I am honored in the sight of the Lord, and my God is now my strength!” (Is 49:5c).
- Ultimately, the intent is to proclaim God’s salvation to the ends of the earth. “I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” (Is 49:6b).
It is important for us to realize that God indeed calls us, and that indeed we are doing divine work. God has entrusted His work to us, and by extension, the salvation of the world, and we are greatly privileged to do it. At the same time, the enemy opposes this work, and will come against us. Even as we look to God for our strength, we need to be careful of how we can fall. Even his inner core, the apostles, were not immune.
- Judas betrayed him. “Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” (Jn 13:21b).
- Peter denied him. “Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.” (Jn 13:38b).
How can we remain faithful to God and to our calling?
- We must pray and give worship to God each and every day. “My mouth shall be filled with your praise, shall sing your glory every day.” (Ps 71:8). This way we can remain focused on Christ, be grateful for God’s blessings, and know the wonders of this glorious life.
- We must strive to remain founded on the Rock that is Christ. “Be my rock of refuge, my stronghold to give me safety; for you are my rock and fortress.” (Ps 71:3). Our lives must be centered on Christ. We must listen to Jesus’ words and act on them.
- We must put our full hope and trust in God. “You are my hope, Lord; my trust, God, from my youth.” (Ps 71:5). Whatever circumstances we face in life, especially in times of trial and difficulty, we must remain confident in God’s love and care. “On you I have depended since birth; from my mother’s womb you are my strength; my hope in you never wavers.” (Ps 71:6).
- We must continually witness to Jesus and speak of his mighty works. “My mouth shall proclaim your just deeds, day after day your acts of deliverance, though I cannot number them all. I will speak of the mighty works of the Lord; O God, I will tell of your singular justice.” (Ps 71:15-16). We must be about the work of evangelization and mission.
Jesus our Lord and Master has gone on ahead of us to heaven. We too will follow, once we have accomplished our mission on earth. “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later.” (Jn 13:36b). We cannot as yet follow Jesus to heaven now, because there is work to be done on earth. But if we are faithful, we will get to follow Jesus to heaven. Such is our destiny.
1 Christians are the new Israel.