I read a very interesting e-devotion at http://edevotions.posterous.com/ and this phrase called me attention.
I would like – with the permission of the author – to reflect about the fact that sometimes the church has a picture of an assembly with a large number of people sitting and listening even beautiful inspirational sermons or liturgies and a few other people working and working to achieve other people feel good and go home renewed in their spirits. The following Sunday the scene repeats and Sunday by Sunday or in feast days a small group works hard to make sure things are done accurately and another large group who are so happy to fulfil their role as audience.
Could we think that this image is the image that Jesus desired for his church? I do not want to exclude the importance of liturgy or teaching for the Christian community. I just want to say that the audience must also assume their responsibilities and work for the world to understand the reason for the existence of the Church. The sending of the disciples to the world, divided into groups of two is a sign that the harvest is plentiful and the many challenges needs to be faced with courage and hard work of all.
The mission should be everyone's responsibility. Everyone must take the task of working to bring the world the message of God's love. In this season of Advent, God calls our attention to be ready to work. We must be vigilant and alert for the arrival of the kingdom. The land has to be flattened and that requires much labor. God's people have a wealth of gifts that can not be buried like the servant who hid his talent. Children, youth, elderly, everyone has something to offer. The work that God demands of us is not too heavy for anyone. Because the heaviest he's ever done on the cross.
Thus, no one is unemployed in Christian service. And whoever thinks that is unemployed in the work of the vineyard is time to stop and evaluate why.
I would like – with the permission of the author – to reflect about the fact that sometimes the church has a picture of an assembly with a large number of people sitting and listening even beautiful inspirational sermons or liturgies and a few other people working and working to achieve other people feel good and go home renewed in their spirits. The following Sunday the scene repeats and Sunday by Sunday or in feast days a small group works hard to make sure things are done accurately and another large group who are so happy to fulfil their role as audience.
Could we think that this image is the image that Jesus desired for his church? I do not want to exclude the importance of liturgy or teaching for the Christian community. I just want to say that the audience must also assume their responsibilities and work for the world to understand the reason for the existence of the Church. The sending of the disciples to the world, divided into groups of two is a sign that the harvest is plentiful and the many challenges needs to be faced with courage and hard work of all.
The mission should be everyone's responsibility. Everyone must take the task of working to bring the world the message of God's love. In this season of Advent, God calls our attention to be ready to work. We must be vigilant and alert for the arrival of the kingdom. The land has to be flattened and that requires much labor. God's people have a wealth of gifts that can not be buried like the servant who hid his talent. Children, youth, elderly, everyone has something to offer. The work that God demands of us is not too heavy for anyone. Because the heaviest he's ever done on the cross.
Thus, no one is unemployed in Christian service. And whoever thinks that is unemployed in the work of the vineyard is time to stop and evaluate why.
