Our Call and Mission

If you could describe in one word your life in service this 2021, what word would it be?

Read: Romans 1:1-7

“1Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus,[b] called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised previously through his prophets in the holy scriptures, 3the gospel about his Son, descended from David according to the flesh, 4 but established as Son of God in power according to the spirit of holiness through resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through him we have received the grace of apostleship, to bring about the obedience of faith, for the sake of his name, among all the Gentiles, 6 among whom are you also, who are called to belong to Jesus Christ; 7 to all the beloved of God in Rome, called to be holy. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

In the very first verse of Paul’s letter to the Romans, we have our calling: “Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God” (v.1). We belong to Christ, we are servants of Jesus, and we are sent to proclaim the gospel of salvation in him.

First, we are servants of Jesus. Nay, we are slaves of Jesus. We are those “who are called to belong to Jesus Christ” (v.6). We are to obey him completely. We are to deny ourselves and self-sacrificially offer ourselves to his cause. To have such a mindset is the only way God can truly use us, especially in facing a powerful diabolical enemy. We must be ready to suffer anything and everything and to give our very lives.

Second, we are to be apostles, that is, “those who are sent.” We are not just recipients of God’s grace nor of the teachings of our Church, but we are to be used as God’s instruments to attain His purposes in the world. We are to be light to the Gentiles to the very ends of the earth. “Through him we have received the grace of apostleship, to bring about the obedience of faith, for the sake of his name, among all the Gentiles” (v.5).

Third, we proclaim the gospel. This is the good news of salvation in Jesus. We are not just to help the poor, to work for justice, or to be agents of peace in the world, but we are to help bring people to salvation. In fact, it is our focus on Jesus that will enable us to do everything else. All are just pilgrims on earth. What is important is to make it to eternal life in heaven.

As such, we, and all those we reach, are “called to be holy.” (v.7b). That is, we are to be set apart. We are not just to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, but we are to be like him. Such is our calling. Such is our destiny.

For discussion, answer the following questions:

1. As I look back in the year 2021, what were the most joyful moments in service? What were the biggest challenges I faced as a servant of Jesus?

2. What new learnings did I gain this year when it comes to my call and mission as a servant-leader in MFC?

In your couple prayer time, read and ponder once again Romans 1:1-7. Reflect on how you can respond in a deeper and more personal way to your call and mission as a servant in MFC towards the end of this year. It’s all about finishing strong for the Lord!