What Do We Work For? And For Whom?

What Do We Work For? 

And For Whom?

Twenty-Eighth Week of Year II     Saturday    October 15, 2016

The Responsorial Psalm declares Christ the King of whose kingship we are stewards: “You gave your Son authority over all your creation” (Ps. 8).

In Ephesians 1: 15-23 Paul prays repeatedly that God will give us “a spirit of wisdom and perception of what is revealed,” “full knowledge” of Christ, and “enlighten the eyes of our mind” so we can “see what hope his call holds for us, what rich glories he has promised” us, and the “immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe.”

He wants us to know and appreciate ”the strength of his power at work in Christ.” so that we will be motivated and strengthened to persevere as faithful stewards in efforts to establish his reign over every area and activity of human life on earth.

Who on earth enlists our loyalty? Whose vision are we working to realize? To what goals are we committed? Are we enthusiastic about our work? Inspired by our boss and co-workers? Dedicated to our company? How does any or all of this compare to Jesus?

We acknowledge to God the Father: “You gave your Son authority over all your creation.” God has “seated Jesus at his right hand… far above all rule and authority and power… above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come.” God has “put all things under his feet.” How does Christ compare to the people we serve under?

And what is the goal, the vision we are working to realize as stewards of Christ’s kingship? God “has made him the head over all things for the Church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.” This is more than motivation. This is mystery, God’s “plan to bring everything in the heavens and on earth together under Christ as head.” That is what we are called to work for.

We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to work for this. In Luke 12: 8-12 Jesus tells us:

Do not worry about how you are to defend yourselves when they bring you before… rulers and authorities, or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you ought to say.

We received the Holy Spirit for this when we were anointed and consecrated “stewards of his kingship” at Baptism. This is our identity. This is what we are. This is what God himself has called and consecrated us to do. We should pray with Paul every day that God will “enlighten the eyes of our mind” so we can “see what hope his call holds for us, what rich glories” we possess already and are promised and empowered to bring to perfection on earth.

Initiative: Be Christ’s steward. Remember who he is and what he is doing.