FROM THE SERVANT GENERAL
THE WAY FORWARD IN CHRIST
(Part 211)
OUR CALL AND MISSION – 6
October 11, 2021
Today’s readings:
Romans 1:1-7
In the very first verse of Paul’s letter to the Romans, we have our calling: “Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God” (v.1). We belong to Christ, we are servants of Jesus, and we are sent to proclaim the gospel of salvation in him.
First, we are servants of Jesus. Nay, we are slaves of Jesus. We are those “who are called to belong to Jesus Christ” (v.6). We are to obey him completely. We are to deny ourselves and self-sacrificially offer ourselves to his cause. To have such a mindset is the only way God can truly use us, especially in facing a powerful diabolical enemy. We must be ready to suffer anything and everything, and to give our very lives.
Second, we are to be apostles, that is, “those who are sent.” We are not just recipients of God’s grace nor of the teachings of our Church, but we are to be used as God’s instruments to attain His purposes in the world. We are to be light to the Gentiles to the very ends of the earth. “Through him we have received the grace of apostleship, to bring about the obedience of faith, for the sake of his name, among all the Gentiles” (v.5).
Third, we proclaim the gospel. This is the good news of salvation in Jesus. We are not just to help the poor, to work for justice, or to be agents of peace in the world, but we are to help bring people to salvation. In fact, it is our focus on Jesus that will enable us to do everything else. All are just pilgrims on earth. What is important is to make it to eternal life in heaven.
As such, we, and all those we reach, are “called to be holy.” (v.7b). That is, we are to be set apart. We are not just to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, but we are to be like him. Such is our calling. Such is our destiny.
