Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross in Green Bay, WI
Reflection of Feb. 5, 2012

Reflection of Feb. 5, 2012

by Sister Laura Zelten

When I think of the line "for the sake of the Gospel" I think of people who have given their lives to Christ -- Francis and Clare of Assisi, Norbert, Francis Xavier, Our Blessed Mother, Mother Teresa, Dorothy Day, Oscar Romero, Maria Goretti and the list goes on. The Saints were people who heard the call to be on mission and were not afraid to give their lives totally to God.

In today's New Testament Readings from Corinthians and Mark's Gospel, we hear of two men who are "on a mission."  For St. Paul, his mission is to be a "slave to all" in order that he "might win over as many people as possible" to the Gospel message.  Jesus' message was to accomplish what he was sent to do, mainly "... to go on the villages that I may preach there also."  This mission gave both men a sense of meaning and purpose in what they were about and an identity as to who they were in relationship to those whose lives they touched.  Jesus states clearly, "for this purpose I have come ... to preach and drive out demons throughout the whole of Galilee."  For Paul, it was his purpose in life to "become all things to all, to save at least some."

This Sunday, the Church recognizes and expresses gratitude for those who have consecrated their lives to God. World Day for Consecrated Life is the occasion to promote this life choice as one of the ways to live out our baptismal commitment.

Consecrated life, rooted deeply in the example and teaching of Christ the Lord, is a special gift of God.  Some women and men are called by God to live the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience.  By devoting themselves to God with undivided hearts, women and men embrace God's radical call, leaving all things behind and daring to put themselves totally at the service of God and God's people.

Reflection Questions:

Thanks Sister for your mission call to Consecrated Religious Life.

I'm still not sure about my mission.

My first grade teacher, a pastoral associate, my former spiritual director, and several instructors in the Diocese Lay Ministry program have inspired me to love the liturgy, experience God in every moment, keep learning about my faith, and to act on what I've learned.

Thank you!

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