Monday of the First Week in Advent
The readings today are a source of great hope for me particularly in the midst of our divided country filled with anger and fear. God invites all people to be a part of His kingdom. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to bring others to be a part of this community of disciples. It is through lives filled with deep faith that we attract others to come and follow Jesus.
In the gospel reading, the Roman centurion comes to Jesus requesting healing of his suffering servant. In his humility and great faith, He states that he is not worthy for Jesus to come to his home, but he believes that just the word of Jesus will heal his servant. Jesus is so impressed with this faith and recognizes him before those surrounding him. But Jesus goes on further to share that “many will come from the east and the west and will recline with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob at the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven.” I imagine that the centurion found great hope in this comment, but I also wonder if the others following Him were surprised that they were not going to be the only ones at the table. In Jesus’ statement, there is an invitation to all people to be a part of the community, and sometimes people that others would not deem as “worthy” would be welcomed as well.
As I reflected on this reading, I wondered what this means to us as disciples of Christ. It was the centurion’s great faith in Jesus that set him apart as a model for us to follow. But how should we use our faith to bring others to the table- to invite others like Jesus calls us to do?
Pope Francis gives us some guidance in this way. “We can inspire others through witness so that one grows together in communicating. But the worst thing of all is religious proselytism, which paralyzes: “I am talking with you in order to persuade you.” No. Each person dialogues, starting with his and her own identity. The church grows by attraction, not proselytizing.” (Pope Francis)
It is through our daily lives where we live committed to Jesus and His ways that others see our great faith. We proclaim our trust and belief in Him by what we say and do and this is indeed the best way to bring others to Him.
I recently had the opportunity to see someone who grew up across the street from us when I was a child. I know his sister well, but did not have much contact with him as we were growing up. At our recent meeting, he mentioned that because of my mom and our family he had decided to become a Catholic as an adult. I was surprised by his comment, but he went on further to say that he was so impressed by the kindness, respect for others and generosity that he saw in my mom and family that he wanted to become part of a faith that made such a difference in people’s lives.
This reminds me that every day living out my faith in the smallest of deeds and words is the best way of bringing others to Christ. When we live as His dicisples, we actually bring Christ to those we encounter, and thereby welcome them to follow Him. Our lives of faith attract others to Christ just like honey attracts bees because of its sweetness. And as Pope Francis says, once someone is drawn towards us through relationship and caring, then the dialogue can begin.
If we can live our faith in such a way Christ (and His Spirit in us) can become a source of healing, unity and peace for all people of all nations. What great joy it would be if everyone can be a part of this community and as Isaiah says, “For over all, the LORD’s glory will be a shelter and protection.”
Loving Father, You have sent us Jesus to show us how to live. Through the grace of Your Spirit help us to follow Him in all we do and say, so others may be attracted to You through our lives of faith. May we bring your love and mercy to all people, so You may receive all the glory and praise. We pray this through Christ, our LORD. Amen.
Marylynn Herchline