There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all . . . .(Ephesians 4:4-6).
Yes, we have a hope. We also have a calling. A vocation. The Holy Spirit has given each of us a privileged job to do. What might that be?I. Our calling:
First, we are called to know, practice and teach God's word to others. Take a look at this passage in Ezra 7:10. What do you notice about the order in which the verse flows? What comes first? Second? Third. What does that teach us regarding our training and execution of that training?
Have you a difficult time reading the Scriptures? Does the task seem overwhelming? If you follow my other blog you have seen this post before. I link to it now to provide you an adjunct to fulfilling the mission God has given you to study, practice and teach.
If you are Catholic, note what the Church teaches about Scripture study (from the Catechism of the Catholic Church):
paragraph 131 "And such is the force and power of the Word of God that it can serve the Church as her support and vigor, and the children of the Church as strength for their faith, food for the soul, and a pure and lasting fount of spiritual life." Hence "access to Sacred Scripture ought to be open wide to the Christian faithful."
paragraph 132 "Therefore, the study of the sacred page should be the very soul of sacred theology. The ministry of the Word, too - pastoral preaching, catechetics and all forms of Christian instruction, among which the liturgical homily should hold pride of place - is healthily nourished and thrives in holiness through the Word of Scripture."
paragraph 133 The Church "forcefully and specifically exhorts all the Christian faithful. . . to learn the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ, by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures. Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.
Now take a look at Romans 12:1-2. How might you train yourself to do as St. Paul tells us here? Can you think of other passages of Scripture that might suggest some answers to that question?
If you are Catholic, note what the Church teaches about Scripture study (from the Catechism of the Catholic Church):
paragraph 131 "And such is the force and power of the Word of God that it can serve the Church as her support and vigor, and the children of the Church as strength for their faith, food for the soul, and a pure and lasting fount of spiritual life." Hence "access to Sacred Scripture ought to be open wide to the Christian faithful."
paragraph 132 "Therefore, the study of the sacred page should be the very soul of sacred theology. The ministry of the Word, too - pastoral preaching, catechetics and all forms of Christian instruction, among which the liturgical homily should hold pride of place - is healthily nourished and thrives in holiness through the Word of Scripture."
paragraph 133 The Church "forcefully and specifically exhorts all the Christian faithful. . . to learn the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ, by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures. Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.
Now take a look at Romans 12:1-2. How might you train yourself to do as St. Paul tells us here? Can you think of other passages of Scripture that might suggest some answers to that question?
Look at this paragraph in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1098). What do you think the phrase "well disposed" means in the context of the paragraph? Now, in light of this discussion thus far of 'our calling,' what image does 'well disposed' bring to mind?
Next time we will look at another part of our calling -- evangelization.
Hope to see you then.
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