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Mission of sharing Christ
St.Lk.24:36-49
Vs.49”…,I am sending upon you
what my Father promised;…”
Luke 24 is about Christ’s
appearances after resurrection. He walked with two travelers on their way
to Emmaus(Vs.13-32).They (one named as Cleopas) were running from
Jerusalem, where the crucifixion took place. The “risen Christ”
joined them on their journey, talked to them and clarified the
scriptures. They returned to Jerusalem and shared the news with ten of
the disciples who were gathered in the upper room on Sunday evening.
In Vs.36-43 we find that when they were talking about
resurrection, Christ came to their midst and greeted them. He
showed the marks on His body and broke bread with them. He then entrusted
them the duty of carrying the Word to all the nations.
For our meditation, let us
focus on the three main dimensions regarding mission.
1.
Mission is sharing Christ’s peace in the peace less
world:
Christ appeared to the
disciples when they were filled with fear. They locked themselves for
safety in the upper room. Christ went to them, even though the doors were
locked and greeted them with Peace. He showed them His wounds and marks.
He greeted and ate with them.
Despite of His wounds and pain, He came to greet the
disciples with heavenly peace .Peace from Christ is not the absence of
pain or struggle but it’s the presence of to face the challenges.We
receive “heavenly peace” from the Holy Communion.After the final
benediction we are send to the world to be the agents of peace in
the peace less world.
Michelle Knight (a young
single mother when she was kidnapped by a local school bus driver at
Cleveland) came out with a book narrating her peace she regained after one
year of freedom,in her book, “Finding Me".It narrates about the
peace she found to face the world.
2 .Mission is
sharing the love and fellowship of Christ:
They not only received
greetings from the Risen Christ, but also got the fellowship of eating
together(Vs.42,43). Thus they regained the joy and happiness. Holy
Communion is our meal with the Risen Christ. We participate in it not to
quench our hunger but to experience the love and fellowship of Christ.
We need to work as the true
bearers of love and fellowship to the people around. Involved in our
daily chores and duties we are very busy and often unable to give joy and
fellowship to even our family members. Mission has to start at home and
in our neighborhood.
3. Mission is sharing the message of salvation
from Christ:
Christ told his disciples to
proclaim the Gospel to all nations. Wait to receive the “power on
high”.Vs.49.Mission entrusted is to be proclaimers of Gospel. We, as
contemporary, disciples have the responsibility to spread the Gospel
through our actions and reactions, verbal and non-verbal dealings. We
live in a multi-religious/muti-cultural world. We meet people of
different faith and even atheists.Is it possible for us to be examples of
the Gospel ,in the given context? Remember it is our mission.
Prayer
Abba Father,help us to carry
out your Mission in the given context -Amen.
Rev. Renu John,
St.Thomas Mar
Thoma Church, Chennai
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