Let’s take on the attitude of Jesus in our mission in the world today
Jesus left us His Real Presence with us for several reasons, especially so that we would remember that He is always with us, as we hear in the Gospel reading for the solemnity of Corpus Christi. Jesus also left the gift of Himself so that we would be nourished to continue His mission. Is our attendance and participation in the Eucharist bearing all the fruit it could?
We gather around Jesus as a community, drawing our worship and adoration to God, who created, sustains and leads us. Is our attendance just a duty and responsibility we have, or are we able to move ourselves to worship God? Do we surrender ourselves to God in recognition of the great gift that He has given to us? Reading the word of God at Mass, gathering with God’s people and partaking of His Body and Blood are full participation in worship.
Hearing the Scriptures each weekend ought to show us how to be disciples of Jesus and the particulars of living that out. Being together at the Eucharist does give us the food for the journey of discipleship, but it requires a change of mind and heart to believe that our attendance at Mass is not the end but the beginning. The dismissal of the Mass always gives a mission and a blessing. When the priest or deacon invites us to go, that is not simply an opportunity to be first in line at the local restaurant. We need to decide what that looks like for each of us in our individual lives and with our families. How will we carry out our commission for Jesus in the world this week?
When the disciples were faced with the possibility of having to feed thousands of people, they encouraged Jesus to send them away so that the people could get food on their own. The disciples had an attitude of insufficiency. They believed that what they encountered would never be enough to meet all the needs they saw before them. Jesus completely reverses their intentions and asks them to have the people sit down, which, I’m sure, led to a fair bit of panicking, just like we would react to some uninvited guests showing up for dinner. How do we take on this new attitude of Jesus in our mission in the world today?
God has promised that we will always have everything we need and more besides. Most of us don’t believe that — we certainly don’t base our choices on our resources on that promise from God. Instead, we look at what we can see and use only our own logic instead of remembering with gratitude the ways God has always fulfilled. Jesus never promised that we would have everything we want, but He did promise that we would have everything we need.
Take some baby steps this week in trying to act out of God’s promise rather than our own logic. There will be some fear and anxiety attached to a choice that changes a habit and behavior. We always like what we’re most familiar with. Take a step of courage and notice the thousands that need to be fed and do something about it. Notice the stranger that needs to be welcomed, notice the naked person who needs to be clothed, notice the sick person who needs a visitor and notice every human being whose dignity is not being upheld. Do something about it. Stand on the promise of God, for He is always faithful.
Father Donald Wester is retired and serves as lecturer of homiletics at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary.
