My sons, home from college, are having breakfast. (It’s
past noon!) I attempt to start a
conversation: “Have you made any New Year’s resolutions?” After hems and haws and sideway glances, they
deflect, “Mom, what are your resolutions?” Now it’s my turn to deflect, “Can I
get you more pancakes?”
The question haunts me. I didn’t make any. Perhaps
because I know most of my resolutions would be abandoned by the first week of
February. Plus, this time of year most of my resolutions would focus on a Dr.
Phil self-improvement plan. I wonder what resolutions would please God.
After Jesus is baptized in the River Jordan and anointed
in the Spirit, he announces that the Kingdom of God is close at hand, calling
us to repent and believe in the gospel. This proclamation is a blueprint for holy
living because we live between the times
when the Kingdom of God is at hand, but not yet come. We are a people with
citizenship both of the earthly and heavenly kingdoms. This dual citizenship brings
with it a dual mission: to keep our gaze fixed on the heavenly Jerusalem (the
kingdom not of this world) while at the same time build up the Kingdom so that peace and justice might reign here and
now. Jesus calls us to continue his mission on earth – to catch people for the Kingdom of God -- by evangelizing Christ in all dimensions of our culture: social
and political promoting the common good.
Has God read any of the recent headlines?! Nearly
49 million Americans struggle to put food on the table; 2014 saw the worst
persecution of Christians in the modern era; 1.05 million abortions in the US;
42 million abortions worldwide. Global terrorism rose 43% in 2013. 57% of
Americans say race relations in U.S. are bad. I’m convinced that NO amount
of my involvement can ever put a dent in the world’s chaos. I would need to be
a Marvel superhero to lead the lions to lie down with the lambs.
God is not having any of my excuses. If I look at the
history of our faith, I discover that God uses ordinary people with all of
their imperfections in extraordinary ways to accomplish his work on earth. Moses
was a reluctant shepherd when he led the Israelites out of captivity. David, a
shepherd boy armed with only a stick and a few stones, confronted a nine-foot
giant, Goliath and went on to become the greatest king of Israel. Rahab, a
woman of questionable reputation, helped two Israelite spies by hiding them on
her roof when the king came for them. Peter, a smelly fisherman who denied
Jesus three times, became the first pope. St. Paul, a persecutor of Christians,
evangelized Christ to the first-century world.
God entrusts us with gifts and talents and provides
sufficient grace to use them to build up the Kingdom. The parable of the
talents (Matt 25:14-30) shows that only when we have an attitude of
indifference or that it’s not worth
trying do we see God angry. We catch people with the good news of peace,
hope, and salvation not by thinking we have nothing to offer but by allowing God
to work in and through us for his glory.
What can I resolve to do to make the light of Christ
shine in the world today? In the first Hobbit film, Tolkein
offers us guidance in Gadalf's soliloquy to Galadriel: "Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in
check, but that is not what I have found. I found it is the small everyday
deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness
and love.”
Please take a moment to view
this video to see concretely how small acts of kindness build a community of love
and mercy. As we love one another, bear one another’s
burdens, help those in hunger and need, forgive one another, when we are humble
of heart, open to God and serving our neighbor, then the Kingdom of God is at
hand. As members of the body of believers, the Mystical Body of Christ, we
continue the saving presence of Jesus as we share the gospel, teach the faith,
offer forgiveness and reconciliation, and extend our hand in works of mercy.
Our witness to the joy of the gospel becomes contagious.
Today
I resolve to Get in the Game!
Journaling with Jesus
Do I seek to serve God with the gifts, talents and graces he has given me?
Do I trust in God's grace to make good use of the gifts and talents he has given me?
Do I witness the joy of the Gospel to my family, neighbors, and coworkers?
