Saturday of the First Week of Advent
We began this week of Advent as pilgrims launching into the story line of God revealing the Kingdom of God for all peoples. It’s a revelation that continues to take shape around the person of Jesus who chose twelve disciples and gave them a special mission. That mission was to extend the Spirit of the Risen Christ and the Good News through faith communities around the world.
This is the “bare bones” picture of the Mission of Jesus Christ. Through the passage of time is has been filled in and appreciated by the contribution of theology, Scripture study, Church History and the accumulated wisdom of the Christian faith being lived world-wide. The Mission will continue to be alive and credible to speak to the modern world as the people, energized by the Holy Spirit, actually demonstrate the mind and heart of Jesus as Savior. The bottom line is that each Christian is responsible for their part of the mission begun in the waters of baptism, namely, bringing the Good News to their personal world.
Today’s Scripture readings provide images of the blessings of the Old Testament and the pastoral instructions for the apostles as a kind combined staging area to get the mission launched for the benefit of the world. The Apostolic Mission in our own day is incomplete, lacking a living presence, unless the Holy Spirit is allowed to energize the minds and hearts of people eager to share the Gospel. Nothing about the Good News is too big, nothing is too small.
Remember, “You may be the only Gospel some people will ever hear!”
Reflection by Fr. Daniel Petsche, OSB
Posted in Articles for Advent, Daily Reflections