If it does not please you to serve the Lord, decide today whom you will serve, the gods your fathers served beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are dwelling. As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. (Jos. 24:15)
As the year begins to wind down, it is an apt time to examine our lives and ask ourselves, “How have I brought Christ to the world this year? How can I better bring Him to the world in the coming year?” A good starting place is examining the place of Christ in our lives. In the Gospel of Luke, the angel says to Mary – and to us - that the child to be born will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God shall give Him the throne of David His father, and He shall reign in the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end (Lk. 1:32). Is He the king of our house, with the place of primacy that implies? Do we reflect that primacy to the world around us, and remember that the kingdom to which we are called is not of this world (Lk. 18:36)?
The season of Advent that is soon upon us is particularly relevant and helpful to our reflections. The word “Advent” literally means “coming toward.” We climb the Lord’s mountain (Is. 2:3) in order to come toward, to draw near to Christ, that He may instruct us in His ways. One way to come toward Christ as our king is through our fellow human beings, for in serving them, we serve our king and Lord. In 1988, Pope John Paul II wrote, “Through charity towards one’s neighbor, the lay faithful exercise and manifest their participation in the kingship of Christ, that is, in the power of the Son of Man who came not to be served but to serve (Mk. 10:45). They live and manifest such a kingship in a most simple yet exalted manner, possible for everyone at all times because charity is the highest gift offered by the Spirit for building up the Church (cf. 1 Cor. 3:13) and for the good of humanity” (Christifideles Laici, #41).
The fruit of our charity is a world at peace, something sorely needed as we read of escalating violence in places like Iraq and Darfur, and on own city streets. True peace begins in hearts that are God’s own, in those who have chosen to serve Him. By placing ourselves under the banner of Christ’s kingship, we join in the song of the angels Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace (Lk. 2:14). And we know that our king will give us all that is necessary for the task, for He will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with His glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19).
Prayer Request: That world leaders and others in positions of power will execute their duties from a spirit of concern for all people.
Prayer: Lord, our God, You are King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Grant us a spirit of humility to acknowledge our rightful place in creation, and to joyfully take up the task of bringing about Your Kingdom of peace that will have no end. We make this prayer through Him who is the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Great question! May God help me by constantly reminding me of His ownership and sovereignty over me so I will submit myself to Him in His likeness of giving in love and truth!
Thanks for this important prompting in my heart to prepare myself for the coming celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus!
Michele, I always appreciate your insight and your knowledge of the scriptures. My heart is continually focused on the coming Kingdom and any charity we can give to others pleases our Lord.
Here's a question in theology: What is "our rightful place in creation"?
Bruce, when I was in college, one of the priests had a saying: "Let God be God, and let everything else be just everything else." I think that speaks to the heart of your question, the kernel of which is humility. Therefore, our rightful place is wherever it is He wants us to be, and we please Him when we seek to know His desires for us.
Post a Comment