In Christ Jesus

August 28: Thursday of Week 21 of Ordinary Time, Year A-II:

1 Corinthians 1:1-9; Psalm 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7; Matthew 24:42-51

Thoughts to help us surrender to Jesus expressing himself through us in ministry.

In Christ Jesus

“Called to be sanctified... enriched… strengthened… united… awaiting” 1Corinthians 1:1-9

Three words dominate the beginning of Paul’s letter: call, name, and Jesus Christ. Paul is called an apostle of Jesus Christ, writing to those called saints because they are made holy in Christ, and call on the name of Christ. To them grace (divine life), light, and strength are given in Christ. They are called through the name of Christ into the fellowship of Christ as they await the final revelation of Christ.

For Paul, to be “the Church of God” is to be Christ in five essential ways: We are:

1. Christians: “made holy and called saints in Christ Jesus, thanks to the grace of God given in Christ Jesus, who call on the name of Jesus Christ”;

2. Disciples: “enriched in every way, with all discourse and all knowledge," to be “made perfect in unity of mind and judgment”;

3. Prophets: “in whom witness to Christ has been strengthened (or  ‘confirmed’) so that we are not lacking in any spiritual gift ”;

4. Priests: “called into the fellowship of Jesus Christ”;

5. Stewards: who “await  the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ in order to be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Christian ministry is to help people be these five things.

PRAY: “Live, Jesus, in my heart!”

PRACTICE: Be Christ.