Memorial of Saint Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church
How often do we pray, “God-What do you want me to do?” Recently, I have begun to realize that God may be more interested in helping us understand who He wants us to be, so we can then realize what He wants us to do. Both scripture readings today describe how the Spirit helps us to be filled with God’s power. It is the Spirit within that helps us know who we are, so we can be sent forth to do what God wants.
In the first reading, St. Paul shares with the people of Corinth how he has come to them in weakness. He wants them to know that the faith he shares is not based on his persuasive words and wisdom but on the “power of God.” St. Paul recognizes that it is in His humility and openness to the Spirit that he is able to have the ability to proclaim the “mystery of God” to others. He knows nothing but Jesus Christ, and with Christ as His foundation, the power of God is evident in his words and deeds.
In the gospel, Jesus exemplifies the perfect way to be who He is called to be. Through the words of the prophet Isaiah, Jesus tells the people of Nazareth that it is the Spirit of the Lord which fills Him and then sends Him forth to “bring glad tidings to the poor, proclaim liberty to captives, recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.” The Spirit of God gives Jesus His identity as the Son of God, and the power of the Spirit within Him allows Jesus to bring God’s mercy, love and grace to the world.
So how do we come to know “WHO” God wants us to be, and why is this more important than seeking to know what God wants us to do? Who we are is the foundation for our thoughts, words and actions. If Jesus is our model, then like Jesus we must allow the Spirit to be at the core of who we are. God desires to fill us with His grace (His Spirit) but this involves the acceptance of our weakness, openness to His overshadowing, and recognition of His power within. Spending time in prayer- resting/being in God’s presence allows us the opportunity to grow in the Spirit. Once we are aware of His deep presence and we see ourselves as His beloved children, then God is able to send us out to do what we are called to do. If we skip the “being” who we are called to be, it will be difficult for us to do what we should do, since we will be acting out of our wills and desires- not God’s.
We need to look no further than Mary to find a great example of a person being who God calls her to be. When the angel comes to Mary to reveal God’s message to her, she is able to say, “May it be done to me according to your word.” Her openness and welcoming of the Spirit, allows the Spirit to overshadow her, so she literally becomes a Christ bearer for the world. She then goes forth and shares Christ with others. We are also called to say, “May it be done to me” and allow the Spirit to come upon us, so we also can become Christ for the world around us. When we recognize that this is who we are called to be, then as we head out into the world, our thoughts, words and actions can bring the same glad tidings, liberty, and healing to our world today that Jesus did many years ago.
Loving Father, Your Son Jesus shows us the power of Your Spirit. Through the grace of Your Spirit, help us to know who we are- beloved children- and with Your grace, send us forth into the world to bring Your mercy, peace and love. Like Mary, may we say “yes” to your word, so that we too may bring Your presence to all. We pray this through Christ, our LORD. Amen.
Marylynn Herchline