A MISSION TO FULFILL! ~ CookingFood.Org

“RISEN WITH CHRIST”

Easter Reflections

Tuesday, 30^thMay 2017,

Seventh Week of Easter

Memorial of St. Joan of the Arc, Martyr

Acts 20: 17-27;

Ps 68: 10-11, 20-21(R. 33);

Jn 17: 1-11.

A MISSION TO FULFILL!

Paul is letting his heart speak to the elders of the Church. The church is still in an infant state and she needs some people who can really take care of her. Jesus himself picked Paul to be one of the caretakers. For sure, Paul was no liar, self-seeking man. He was a plain preacher, one that spoke his message so as to be understood even to the simplest among the hearers. He was a powerful preacher; he preached the gospel as a testimony to them if they received it; but as a testimony against them if they rejected it. He was a convinced preacher; one that aimed not to inform their knowledge but to reform their hearts and lives. He was a hard working preacher, very industrious in his work, never tiring or bored. He was a faithful preacher; he did not keep back reproofs when necessary, and vehemently proclaimed the Mystery of the Cross.

He was a true Christian; he did not preach notions or doubtful matters; neither logic nor reason; nor affairs of state or the techniques of good governance; but only faith and repentance just like his master Jesus. Paul regarded his ministry as a mission entrusted to him by the Lord Jesus himself. On this account he deemed it to be especially sacred, and of high authority. Like Paul we all have a course to run, a duty to perform. We have an allotted duty. We are really in danger only when we neglect our duty.

The “hour” that Jesus speaks of as the hour of His Crucifixion may seem like a sad moment. But, from a divine perspective, Jesus sees it as His hour of glory. It’s the hour when He is glorified by the Father in Heaven because He perfectly fulfilled the Father’s will. He perfectly embraced His death for the salvation of the world. The “hour” of Jesus is something that we must constantly live, by constantly embracing the Cross in our lives. In doing this, our crosses becoming divinized so as to become a source of the grace of God. The beauty of the Gospel is that every suffering we endure, every cross we carry, is an opportunity to manifest the Cross of Christ. We are called, by Him, to constantly give Him glory by living His suffering and death in our lives.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, give us the courage to endure all the hardships in life. May they be a means to give you glory. May we be like St. Paul, faithful to the ministry You have entrusted to us. Jesus I trust in You. Amen.