Each and every day, we are called to take up our cross, just as our Lord did. We are called to serve God, and one another, and place ourselves back in our order of priorities. We are called to lose our lives, and to die to self, so that we may serve others, and in doing so follow our Lord’s example and call. We must lose ourselves in this life, so that we may join our Lord in life eternal. This is not just metaphorical talk, this is truly what we are called to do, and it is not always easy.
One of my favorite scripture passages is from John 12, where we hear that unless a grain of wheat dies, it remains just a grain of wheat, but if it dies, bears much fruit. Our Lord knew this well, and He was willing to die for us, so that the yield from the harvest would be great. We need to understand though, the harvest is not completed, we too are the sowers and harvesters for our Lord with each successive generation of us that live on this earth. Each generation has a new potential harvest of souls that can either be drawn closer to our Lord as we sow His word and yield much fruit, or that can be overlooked and allowed to wither on the vine and produce rot. We as the followers of Christ are called in each generation to cultivate by our words and actions those who do not yet know Christ, and to bring them to him so that they too may have life eternal. The responsibility is huge, but then so is the reward – everlasting life with our God, in an existence whose splendor we cannot even comprehend with our currently limited faculties.
To get there though is hard, it is the path taken less, and that we truly have to pursue in faith, and in action. It is not enough to think nice thoughts, and to wish that things were better and that everyone would come to know Christ. We have to put forth effort, we have to put works behind our faith, else that faith is dead as Saint James tells us. He is not saying that we can earn our way into heaven through our works, that is impossible, to gain entry into heaven is a grace given to us even though we are underserving. What we are called to do though, is to put forth effort, and accept humbly that though it will never be anywhere close to perfect, it is what we must do to fulfill our Lords call to die to self and to give life to others through a newfound knowledge of Him, that we hopefully impart through our words and actions. To let others know what Saint Peter realized and acknowledged to our Lord, that He is the Christ, the Son of God, and that salvation comes through Him and no one else.
This call is a challenge to us every day, do we take the easy path and simply enjoy life here on earth, or do we put forth the effort to draw others to Christ? Do we ignore those around us in need, and wish that there lot in life was better and then move on to our own meeting our own needs, or do we step out of our shell and acknowledge them as a child created in God’s image and show them we care through our actions to meet their needs as best we can. Perhaps this in the form of monetary help, perhaps we pull over and help someone who is broken down on the highway, perhaps we simply listen to someone else and let them know they are not alone. We start with meeting the immediate need, and when we are asked why we are helping, we openly acknowledge that we are doing so because our Lord calls us to. This is the seed that may well bear much fruit, it gives others something to ponder, it allows them to see that this is very real to us, and perhaps if they allow it, it could be equally real for them. People notice the extraordinary, and right now, with all the need, and want, and loneliness that exists out there, there is an innate longing in many for something better, even if they don’t fully grasp what that is. How often have you heard someone utter the expression – “there must be more to life than this”. They are very right, and so there is, but they must be brought to understanding by those around them who know what that is, and who follow Him who created all, cares for all, and at the end of time wants to embrace all. Simply put, we are called to leave no one alone and lost, and left behind.
Podcast Link
The Deacons Bench 