Our Mission - 8

Share to your household how is God using you (or how He wants to use you) to be a source of inspiration in your family and workplace.

Read:
Malachi 3:1-4
Psalm 24:7-10
Hebrews 2:14-18
Luke 2:22-40

We look to the light of Christ that should shine in all the world. Jesus has said, “I am the light of the world,”[1] and he has told us, “You are the light of the world.”[2] When Jesus was presented in the Temple, Simeon said, “for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” (Lk 2:30-32).

And now as MFC we are called, commissioned and commanded to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and to carry on his divine work. Per our theme this year, we are to be light to the Gentiles and instruments of salvation to the ends of the earth.[3] We carry out Jesus’ command in accord with our name “Missionary Families of Christ.”

First, we must be “of Christ.”

• We must be like Jesus. Joseph and Mary “took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.” (Lk 2:22). We too have presented ourselves to the Lord. We too are “consecrated to the Lord” (Lk 2:23b).

• We must be like Simeon, who “took him into his arms and blessed God” (Lk 2:28). We embrace Jesus and praise God for sending us our Savior and Lord. Simeon “was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the holy Spirit was upon him.” (Lk 2:25). We are called to be devoted to Jesus and live lives of righteousness. We look to the renewal and strengthening of our faith as Christians, the new Israel. We have been filled with the Holy Spirit.

• We must be like the prophetess Anna, who “never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.” (Lk 2:37). We are to always remain in the presence of God. We are to pray without ceasing.[4]

• We must be like Levites, as the Lord “will purify the Levites, refining them like gold or silver, that they may bring offerings to the Lord in righteousness.” (Mal 3:3). We must strive for holiness as we come before Him as His righteous people.

Second, we are “Families.” We must look to the Holy Family, as we work to renew and strengthen our families.

• The Holy Family went to the temple together, as “the parents brought in the child Jesus” (Lk 2:27b). We pray as a family, and parents ensure the growth in faith of their children.

• Joseph and Mary presented Jesus to the Lord, and he was consecrated to God. Parents, themselves being consecrated to God, knowing that their children are God’s children, bring their children to God and consecrate them to the Lord.

• The Holy Family returned to their own town of Nazareth, where “the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.” (Lk 2:40). We build our homes for God, with our homes becoming pieces of Kingdom ground. Parents raise their children in the Lord, to grow strong in faith and in the wisdom of God.

Third, we are “Missionary.” We are instruments of God’s salvation, through our work of evangelization.

• We are to be like Anna, who “spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.” (Lk 2:38b). We are to proclaim Christ as the Redeemer to all, to the ends of the earth.

• We look to Mary, who herself “a sword will pierce” (Lk 2:35a). As we do mission, there will be challenges, oppression, persecution and suffering. We must be prepared, like Jesus, “to be a sign that will be contradicted” (Lk 2:34b).

• We are to be light as Jesus is “a light for revelation to the Gentiles” (Lk 2:32a).

• We are to be like John the Baptist as God’s messengers.[5] “Now I am sending my messenger—he will prepare the way before me” (Mal 3:1). We are to be instruments of God’s salvation, as we help prepare for his second coming.

• We are to be holy warriors serving under the King of glory. We look to “the Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in war.” (Ps 24:8). Our Lord Jesus has already defeated the enemy by his death and resurrection and thus won for us our salvation, “that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life.” (Heb 2:14b-15).

Let us continue with our work of making Christ known to all and worshiped by all. “Who is this king of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the king of glory.” (Ps 24:10).

For discussion, answer the following questions:

1. How are you in the following areas or aspects of your life:

   1. Personal relationship with God

   2. Family

   3. Community or service

2. How is God purifying you in these areas or aspects of your life?

In your prayer time, pray for the purification of your personal relationship with God, for your relationship with your family and your service and brothers and sisters in the community.