4th week of advent 2015

Judges 13: 2-7, 24-25a

Lk 1: 5-25

Our Mission

Today we are invited to reflect on the experience of these great men and women mentioned in the first reading as well as in the gospel

In the first reading from the book of Judges, Manoah and his wife were barren and had no children. Similarly in the gospel of Luke, Zechariah and Elizabeth were also barren and childless. Although, the two couples were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments blamelessly, being childless is considered a curse for the Jew at that time even until now. However it turns into a blessing because the birth of Samson and John the Baptist were part of God’s plan to save humanity. Both Samson and Baptist had to share in the mission. This is what the angel said to Mary “ Behold Elizabeth your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age and this is the sixth month for her who is called barren, for nothing is impossible for God”.( Luke 1: 36-37)

The mission of Samson was to deliver the people of Israel from the power of the Philistines (Judges 13:5). How about John the Baptist? God assigned John the Baptist a mission to fulfill: turning many children of Israel to their Lord and preparing a people fit for the Lord. (Luke: 1; 17)

Each and every one of us also has our own mission in life as a Catholic. At this moment let us reflect and sincerely ask ourselves what mission God wants you and me to fulfill as we prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ.

I believe that we will only discover our true mission when we take time to come to the Holy Eucharist, listen to the Word of God and let His Word and Body transform us. Then and only then, will we be able to love and live out our mission in our daily life, in the family, and the work place as well. How? By sharing with others what we have felt and experienced in the holy Eucharist not only by words but first and foremost by our life testimony of loving and giving. This is our mission- to know Christ and to make Him known to others in our own way and in our own places.

What is our mission in life?

The day of the Christmas pageant finally arrived. Kaitlin was so excited about her part. The parents were all there to watch the performance of their children. At the edge of the stage, Kaitlin sat quietly and confidently. Then the teacher began: “A long time ago, Mary and Joseph had a baby and they named him Jesus”. She continued, and when Jesus was born, a bright star appeared over the manger”. At that cue, Kaitlin got up, picked up a large star, walked behind Mary and Joseph and held the star up high for everyone to see. When the teacher told about the shepherds coming to see the baby, the three young shepherds came forward, and Kaitlin jiggled the star up and down excitedly to show them. When the wise men responded to their cue, Kaitlin went forward a little to lead the way. Her face was as brilliant as the original star must have been. The play ended. On the way home Kaitlin said with great satisfaction, “I had the main part.” You did? Her mother questioned, wondering why she thought that. “Yes, she said, because I showed everybody how to find Jesus”.

How true!  To show others how to find Jesus, to be the light of their paths- that is the greatest role and mission we can play in life. Are we true to our mission of showing others how to find Jesus?

Fr. Martin Kuzhivelil CMI