-The Easter homily is in the library ->
-The Scriptures for May 1st are at USCCB.org
-I will be preaching at 4:00 Mass on Saturday and 12:30 on Sunday
Who's Doing What?
"....the Lord added to their number those who were being saved." The newborn Church of Acts of the Apostles seems to be the Body of Jesus Christ, doing what Jesus does, saving others. The church is not a highly efficient or necessarily effective organization with a mission. The Church is the incarnate Body of Christ reaching out, often clumsily, for souls. Jesus said, "when I am lifted up I will draw all people to myself."
Church, let's wake up to the role we are to play, in the person of Jesus, to reconcile all people into Communion with God who loves us. It is Jesus acting. We are the access point, the instrument, by which God is reconciling the world through Jesus Christ...adding to their number. We call it Mercy.
Can we let Him do what He does? That's the challenge.
3 comments:
Okay, you're looking for reaction. Here goes. What's our role? I see the words, "to reconcile all people into Communion with God who loves us." What does that mean in everyday life? Please, give me words that I can live out or examples or ideas on how to do this, not simply ideals.
The scripture you quote, "And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved." How do WE do that?
Let's say that we're good and holy people who do our most to be as Christ. And we share Christ. But people don't WANT Him, or too much talk of Him, much less want an invitation to Church, so do we just keep sharing love and mercy generously and trust the Lord will use our effort? In those situation where saying the Name "Jesus" will alienate people, do we dance around the Name?
And if we're just good and "nice", don't the pagans do the same?
God works Mercy through me. And love. But what is my movement in this? Am I playing the right game, even in the right ballpark? Cuz your homily above is creating more questions than anything.
‘organization’ – that’s the word.
that worldly thing with pride, prestige, power and possibly, enough distraction to bring unto itself worship.
we are not in charge – this is so right on
These are among my most favorite Scripture readings – particularly this reading from Acts. I think it’s because it’s a snapshot of the early Church showing us how the Kingdom can look on earth. It wasn’t a corporate-looking structure with efficient procedures; rather, it was a group of saints who were also sinners, who nonetheless were overcome with the love of Jesus and made every effort to live out and share that love with others – attempting to draw others into communion, into the Body with them. And one of my favorite lines from the Matador’s reflection this week is, “The Church is the incarnate Body of Christ reaching out, often clumsily, for souls.” We, like the early Church, are often clumsy in our efforts. We want and try to be holy people but we make mistakes along the way as we work at following the example of Jesus. But still we keep trying; and because His mercy endures forever we can be confident of His help, feeding our strength and courage.
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