FROM THE SERVANT GENERAL
OUR THEME FOR 2021
(Part 28)
SENT TO THE GENTILES
July 4, 2021
Today’s readings:
Ezekiel 2:2-5
Psalm 123:1-4
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Mark 6:1-6
We are commanded to be light to the Gentiles and instruments of salvation. This is what we have been doing for 40 years. We know it is difficult and challenging work. But God never said it would be easy. Even Jesus was rejected by his townmates. “And they took offense at him.” (Mk 6:3b).
Our focus in both MFC and LCSC has been lapsed Catholics (though not exclusively). This is akin to the situation of Ezekiel, to whom God said, “Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, a nation of rebels who have rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have been in revolt against me to this very day.” (Ez 2:3). The Israelites were the people of God, as Christians today are, and especially Catholics who form the one true Church. But today there are many within our Church who are in apostasy, including those among the Church hierarchy. They are in open rebellion against God, teaching heresy, neglecting and misleading the sheep, condoning grievous sins.
And Gentiles are not only hard to reach today, but they are in open disdain and assault against those who fear God and do God’s work. Good people are no longer honored but bashed, and some physically assaulted. We too “have our fill of contempt.” (Ps 123:3b). Gender ideologues, supported by some clerics, look on us as haters, bigots, homophobes, misogynists. None of this is true, but it does not matter to our detractors. In our work, we continue to experience “mockery from the insolent, with contempt from the arrogant.” (Ps 123:4b). “Pride” is so appropriate for the LGBTs, as they are insolent and arrogant in their assaults against the faith and the faithful. They openly mock God and desecrate churches.
Well, at least we have the love and security within our homes, right? Not necessarily. For some, the hardest to reach are their own children. “Their children are bold of face and stubborn of heart.” (Ez 2:4a). Indeed, it has been a truism, and stated by Jesus, that “a prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” (Mk 6:4). Our leaders are honored by their spiritual children in MFC, but some have their way of life rejected by their own children. Some would even want to give up their service, feeling unworthy and unsuccessful in their own homes. But we should just go on, and continue to instruct them, because God has sent us. “To them I am sending you. You shall say to them: Thus says the Lord God.” (Ez 2:4b).
With evangelization getting more challenging, with souls being harder to harvest, with the enemy now including clerics and Church hierarchs, with home fronts somewhat not in good order, what are we to do? Well, simply put, we keep on, because this is our calling and this is what we have been commanded by Jesus to do.
Remember: we are chosen and anointed by God, we are doing divine work, and we are destined for greatness. That can become heady for us, and bring us to sinful pride. Paul himself, who had an “abundance of the revelations” (2 Cor 12:7a), and who had been told by Jesus that he would use him mightily, had a great challenge that he kept asking God to remove. “Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me” (2 Cor 12:8). But what did Jesus say? “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor 12:9a). Paul did realize what Jesus was about. “Therefore, that I might not become too elated, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated.” (2 Cor 12:7b).
What is your thorn in the flesh? A continuing temptation to grievous sin? Lack of respect and appreciation from those you are selflessly serving? Disorder in your own home? Opposition by pastors? Are you frustrated even with God that He does not remove this thorn, despite your tear-filled entreaties? Are you tempted to give up? Do not. Rather, just like Paul, say, “I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.” (2 Cor 12:9b). Sure, continue to ask the Lord to remove the thorn in your flesh, but carry on. God is just continuing to form you. God is scourging you as the son whom He loves. God is keeping you on the right track. God is keeping sinful pride away from you. God wants you to see that His grace is sufficient, and that power comes only from Him. Don’t you see? All that is preparation for even greater work.
Our strength is in God. Our hope is in God. In being sent to the Gentiles to be instruments of God’s salvation, we oppose a powerful enemy, and today that enemy can even be within our own Church. The opposition can be within our own homes or Christian community. The weaknesses can be within our own selves. But just continue to cling to the Lord, and do God’s will, leaving the results up to God. “And whether they hear or resist—they are a rebellious house—they shall know that a prophet has been among them.” (Ez 2:5). Expect that there will be hardships, both caused by the enemy but also allowed by God. Let these not bring you down, but in fact cause you to look to God even more. “Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor 12:10).
Continue to hear God speak to us, and be resolute in pursuing the mission given to us. “As he spoke to me, the spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard the one who was speaking” (Ez 2:2). Onward, holy warriors, and be light to the Gentiles.
