It is around that time again, time to formalize my commitment to be an Associate Member of the community of ICPE Mission Companions. What is exciting about this time is we welcome new members who will take their commitment or covenant for the first time. We have grown more than two-fold (especially when we count the children) and although there is greater diversity in terms of personalities and cultures, the one thing that unifies us is our individual great love for Jesus and how much we want to share this wonderfully healing and nurturing love with others.
As if in preparation for the big day this coming Sunday, the topic of call and vocation has been very much discussed and reflected upon in my prayer time and my daily experience of listening to Scripture, plus conversations with people I have encountered lately.
Likewise, at last Sunday’s Companions meeting, we looked at who is the missionary by studying church documents and ICPE Norms and Orientations. We were reminded that as baptized Catholics, we are, each one of us, also missionary disciples who need to constantly refine our charter; to evangelize more effectively by undertaking ongoing formation not just of Church teachings, but acquiring a sound general knowledge of the peoples, cultures and religions, their past and present time, wherever we are situated geographically (Ad Gentes, paragraph 26).
We need to be creative and adept at reaching out and communicating with others, to touch lives in a transformative manner such that we can “make men share in the communion between the Father and the Son in their Spirit of love.”(Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 850)
We ourselves, leading lives of prayer and service, must remain obedient to the bidding of the Holy Spirit, who “alone can raise up diversity, plurality and multiplicity while at the same time bringing unity.” (Evangelii Gaudium, paragraph 131) Thus, the universal aspect of our call (we are, indeed, all one in God’s Spirit, people who share a common bond of humanity) can be fulfilled fruitfully and joyfully. We cannot help, but infect all we meet, with the joy of the Gospel, by thought, word and action, and through exuberant witnessing.
It was enriching to hear the sharing of each person present which Scriptural verse and object they would be offering up during the upcoming Sunday Mass for we each come with our personal charisms and lived experiences. We each bring to the table our own personal commitment and particular skill set to fully live out Gospel values wherever we are vocationally, as well as within the community.
What makes the covenant-taking especially beautiful is that it is not just a renewal of an individual baptismal vow taken freely and lovingly by each person, but it is a group of believers who come together, seeking a deeper expression of faith by loving and supporting each other in community, calling each other beloved brother or sister. And, having received from each other, we can then, in turn, bring that special unifying love to others outside the community in order to spread the truth, the way and the life of a Trinitarian love that goes beyond borders and differences.
As the song goes, they will know we are Christians by our love, and maybe, just maybe, realize that they, too, are called to partake in this joyous celebration and promise of eternal life.
As the song goes, they will know we are Christians by our love, and maybe, just maybe, realize that they, too, are called to partake in this joyous celebration and promise of eternal life.
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