by Sister Laura Zelten
When I think of the line "for the sake of the Gospel" I think of
people who have given their lives to Christ -- Francis and Clare of
Assisi, Norbert, Francis Xavier, Our Blessed Mother, Mother Teresa,
Dorothy Day, Oscar Romero, Maria Goretti and the list goes on. The
Saints were people who heard the call to be on mission and were not
afraid to give their lives totally to God.
In today's New Testament Readings from Corinthians and Mark's
Gospel, we hear of two men who are "on a mission." For St.
Paul, his mission is to be a "slave to all" in order that he "might
win over as many people as possible" to the Gospel message.
Jesus' message was to accomplish what he was sent to do, mainly
"... to go on the villages that I may preach there also."
This mission gave both men a sense of meaning and purpose in what
they were about and an identity as to who they were in relationship
to those whose lives they touched. Jesus states clearly, "for
this purpose I have come ... to preach and drive out demons
throughout the whole of Galilee." For Paul, it was his
purpose in life to "become all things to all, to save at least
some."
This Sunday, the Church recognizes and expresses gratitude for
those who have consecrated their lives to God.
World Day for Consecrated Life is the occasion to promote this
life choice as one of the ways to live out our baptismal
commitment.
Consecrated life, rooted deeply in the example and teaching of
Christ the Lord, is a special gift of God. Some women and men
are called by God to live the evangelical counsels of poverty,
chastity and obedience. By devoting themselves to God with
undivided hearts, women and men embrace God's radical call, leaving
all things behind and daring to put themselves totally at the
service of God and God's people.
Reflection Questions:
Thanks Sister for your mission call to Consecrated Religious Life.
I'm still not sure about my mission.
My first grade teacher, a pastoral associate, my former spiritual director, and several instructors in the Diocese Lay Ministry program have inspired me to love the liturgy, experience God in every moment, keep learning about my faith, and to act on what I've learned.
Thank you!