Archives
April 29, 2010
The Mysteries of Light
The Baptism in the Jordan
The Wedding at Cana
The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
The Transfiguration
The Institution of the Eucharist
THE CHURCH
Let us pray that Christ will grant us a greater appreciation for the Church as it promotes the Kingdom of God.
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17
OUR Lord’s baptism by his kinsman, John, marks the beginning of his public ministry. It is this ministry that is offered us by the Spirit in our own Baptism into the Church. As members of the Church, we continue His ministry in our own place and time. As Jesus’ brothers and sisters, God the Father, speaks of us too as His “beloved sons and daughters”. Our baptism makes us other Christs for our own day.
Lord God, help me to accept my mission as priest, prophet and king as a baptized Christian. May I imitate You in doing the will of the Father.
II. THE WEDDING AT CANA
“His mother said to the servers, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’” John 2:5
IN the Wedding Feast of Cana, Mary takes the initiative in the ministry of Her Son. She tells the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Mary, the Mother of the Church, is telling us the same. What it means to be a follower of Jesus as Church is contained in His pilgrimage of ministry. Mary tells us to preach, heal, love and sacrifice as He did. As difficult as that may seem, following Him in His Church is the only way to freedom. We must do whatever he tells us.
Loving Christ, may I come to You often in prayer, alone and with other members of the Church in order to discern what it is You tell me to do.
III. THE PROCLAMATION OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD
“But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth, he said to the paralytic, ‘I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.’ Mark 2:10-11
THE Church, like Peter’s house in Capernaum, is a house of healing. The Church’s primary clients are the suffering, the poor, and sinners. It is to them that Jesus’ message is most attractive. We have to admit, in our heart of hearts, that all of us are equally broken and that He, through the Church, offers us this same tender touch of healing. There are always those too blind, too self-righteous, to accept this healing, but Christ’s Church offers it to all who come to Him in truth.
Dear God, never allow me to become too proud to admit my need for Your forgiveness and Your healing.
IV. THE TRANSFIGURATION
“While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white.” Luke 9:29
SOMETIMES we are only capable of seeing Christ’s Church in its institutional incarnation. But the Spirit grants us moments when we see the Church in all its true glory, as the Apostles saw Jesus on the mount. Seeing the Church as it really is, the Mystical Body of Christ victorious in heaven and on pilgrimage on earth, is an act of faith and trust in the Holy Spirit. It is this Spirit which inspires us to join ourselves in the greater and holier Church that most accurately represents the Body of Christ.
Spirit of God, transfigure me so that I become more like Christ, the Redeemer and Savior.
V. THE INSTITUTION OF THE EUCHARIST
“He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.” John 13:1b
ON the night before He died, Jesus took the Bread, the Cup, and His life and offered it for us, forever. We eat the bread, share the Cup, and wash each other’s feet in His Name as symbols of His perpetual love for us. These ongoing sacraments of worship and service bring His ministry to life in our world. Through the Church, Christ’s ministry is forever – a healing, forgiving presence in a broken world. This is the Church; this is the legacy of our Savior, Jesus the Christ.
O Jesus, may I never take the privilege of receiving You in the Eucharist for granted. May Your body and blood make us all a more faithful church community.