“Renew My Church” – Continued words of Christ’s invitation to each of us (part II)
Jesus says to each of us, “Renew My Church.” Like St. Francis, to whom the Lord addressed these words, we should take them seriously in a literal sense, taking into account the condition of the inner temple of our heart and the condition of the Catholic Church. These two realities are constantly intertwined. I open my eyes widely and see the brothers and sisters in Christ who, through baptism, constitute the Living Body which is the Church of Christ.
In today’s passage, I would like to draw attention to the fact that is often forgotten. As the Church of Jesus Christ, we all have gifts and countless talents. This is our personal and community wealth. We become a gift for one another. In a process of internal renewal, it is necessary to touch upon those gifts behind which the authority of God himself stands; He is their creator in us. In their matrimonial vocation, the spouses become a gift to one another. Parents become a gift to children and vice versa. Grandparents offer wisdom to the younger generation through their life experience, etc. That is, everyone has a place and through their calling becomes a gift to others. First of all, we serve our duty in “our own place” of marriage, family, priesthood or religious life. However, as a part of God’s Body, which is His Church, we share this experience with our brothers and sisters in faith. This gift of “internal renewal” cannot be kept only for ourselves. It is a test of my personal faith and the love I have for God and my brothers and sisters.
Thus, we face responsibility for: an increase in faith in me and my loved ones (a living life of prayer, daily reading of The Scriptures, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, frequent dialogues ); personal testimony of the living faith (apostolic and missionary spirit that guides me); making disciples – an invitation of those seeking the “Living God” to the community of the Church.
I see other people through the eyes of faith, full of concern for their salvation (doing so in my family, among loved ones and friends and those I meet on the path of my daily life.) All this is an expression of openness to the words of Jesus addressed directly to my heart, “Renew My Church”. Will I make this call? I have to start with myself!!