This is the final week of our
Message Series: A Way Forward. It’s all about doing what
disciples do and, in the process, finding our way to more successful living
Week One invited us to be
“of God”. To know that we belong to Him, that we accomplish what we do with His
inspiration and that we must be people who are firmly rooted not solely in our religious tradition, but also our
ability to relate to the person of Jesus.
Week Two challenged us to take the
last place, to be servants. The only way we know who we are is by who He is – and that comes
through service especially to the least, the last and the lost.
Week Three called forth from us the declaration that our serenity, peace
and purpose comes not from outside of us, but rather from within us – a Way
Forward – rooted in Mercy which comes not from an outwardly found happiness but
an inwardly rooted happiness.
The recent visit of Pope Francis to the United States, in part for the World Meeting of
Families, has given our Holy Father an opportunity to discuss so many issues,
and I must admit that I love the issues he is talking about and how he is
talking about them. Pope Francis has a profound commitment to God’s word - and
a lifestyle that backs it up. He is crating conversation around important
issues - poverty, justice, immigration. He call us to be part of a society that
is tolerant and inclusive, but has a solid stance on the institution and
definition of marriage, family and speaks about restoring hope and building
peace – he asks us to treat one another with passion but compassion. In our
society of today – this is a challenge and if we are a people of both passion
and compassion – well we stand out. The courage to do that - stand out - is the final point in our Way Forward.
This “standing out” can overwhelms us - overtakes us - over stresses us and we feel lost and as
our 2nd Reading today - the presence of Jesus offers a hope - “do not be ashamed”. What stops us at times
in our way forward - well is fear of standing out and yet the answers to our problems,
including that of fear – is that we must have Confidence in Christ. For we are
a child of God, chosen, redeemed, loved, cherished and cared for. We should
stand out – for His love calls us to. Part of this call to stand out is rooted
in a life of Prayer which leads us to decide and discern to do it Christ’s way,
not our way forward.
Jesus says - try it my way
forward:
I.
Seek righteousness in your
heart and there will be beauty in your character
II.
seek beauty in your
character and there will be harmony in the home
III.
seek harmony in the home
and there will be order in the nations
IV.
seek order in the nations
and there will be peace in the world
It all begins by seeking Christ’s Way Forward: Being of God. Being
rooted in Service to least, last, lost. Being
People who Make Every Effort to be rooted in Mercy - people who walk
along with Christ standing out (living differently) – and being willing to stand
out from the crowd.