LAMP OF GOD | KAIROS GLOBAL | MAY 2024

Author: Anil Israel

Intro: Anil Israel writes about our missionary mandate and what we can do to win hearts for the love of Christ and the joy of salvation. 

All through the Old Testament we see God leading and guiding his people through the patriarchs, the judges, the prophets, kings and priests. God reveals his covenantal relationship with his chosen people: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people (Jeremiah 31:33). God’s infinite love for aching mankind is unconditional and unending. I have loved you with and everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). In the New Testament, Jesus – the Word incarnate – the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15) assures his unfailing loving accompaniment: I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20).

God’s presence accompanied the Israelites in their wilderness journey by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light (Exodus 13:21). Today God is present among us through the Word of God and the Most Holy Eucharist. God’s Holy Living Word guides our life and his Real Presence in the Living Bread nourishes our immortal soul.

Now by virtue of our baptism, we become members of the mystical body of Christ – the Church. Being part of God’s big family, we too are called to do our part in the great commission – the mission entrusted to the Church: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:20). ‘The Church exists in order to evangelise’ (Pope Paul VI, Evangelli Nuntiandi 14). This missionary mandate, entrusted to us demands a response on our part. What am I doing to share the love of Jesus, to help make known the joy of the good news of Salvation in Christ alone? Have I recognised that I too have a role to play? Am I allowing myself to be interested and getting involved? What am I doing about it?

All through the centuries the Church has been responding to this call in various ways. The early Church witnessed a lot of persecution. Many joyfully embraced martyrdom. ‘The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church’ (Tertullian). By his passion, death and resurrection, Jesus restored our broken relationship and re-opened the gates of Heaven. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself (John 12:32). The price paid by every martyr thereafter, spread waves of evangelisation and contributed to the growth of the Church. 

We too are called to be martyrs in small or big ways. When we let go of our ego and selfishness and reach out with love to those most in need, beginning with those in our own homes, we become agents of love and channels of grace. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:35). When we live lives of love, we allow God’s presence to be felt by the world. We help draw people to God. ‘The fruit of love is service’ (Mother Teresa). When we serve, we put love into action. It is this love poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5) that flows out from us when we willingly choose to serve – to love our neighbour out of love for God. Am I willing to put love in action whenever prompted to do so?

Not all are called to preach from the pulpit, but all are called to proclaim with their lives. ‘Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary, use words’ (St Francis of Assisi). Some are called to be like St Francis Xavier, the patron saint of mission, to by physically on the move, in response to the call to evangelisation. Some are called to be like St Therese of Lisieux, also the patroness of mission, to live an obscure life of prayer and sacrifice, hidden from the external world, and thereby be instruments for His Kingdom. We all are called to do our bit of St Francis Xavier and our bit of St Therese of Lisieux, as and when we are prompted and encouraged to respond.

Technology too is God’s gift to mankind. God does intend that technology too plays a role in the holy work of evangelisation. American Bishop Fulton Sheen, hosted a weekly television series, Live is Worth Living (1951-57), that attracted about 30 million viewers. Mother Angelica, an American Catholic cloistered nun of the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration, founded the international broadcast cable television network Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN). Likewise many religious and lay missionaries have responded to the call to be the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13) and the light of the world (Matthew 5:14) in their own unique ways. A plethora of Catholic books, podcasts, music and videos continue to churn and become accessible to fast-track the urgent work of evangelisation in the modern world.

‘The Holy Spirit is the principal agent of evangelisation’ (Evangelli Nuntiandi 75). It is he who animates, sanctifies and builds the Church. It is the indwelling Holy Spirit in each of us that inspires, illuminates, guides and strengthens us to respond to newer ways, unseen or unheard of before. Some would be encouraged to use their talent of creativity and produce unique work of art to draw souls towards God. Some could simply combine an appealing image and an inspiring thought to convey a convincing message to impact souls in ways only known to God. Some could deploy their ability on stage either by singing gospel hymns or by a theatrical performance, to help capture hearts for a renewed life in Christ. 

A story is told of a priest who once had a church built. During the inauguration ceremony everyone realised that the church didn’t have lights installed. The priest responded that everyone needed to bring their own lamps whenever they came. When everyone comes and brings their lamp, the whole church will be illuminated. When I don’t come or fail to bring my lamp, that part of the church remains in darkness. Am I willing to be a lamp of God (1 Samuel 3:3)?