We Are Called to Sanctification
A Reflection for the 2nd Sunday of Lent, March 12, 2017
Genesis 12:1-4, Psalm 33, 2
Timothy 1:8-10, Matthew 17:1 – 9
By Rev. Robert
Johnnene OFM
Mission Sts.
Sergius & Bacchus/ Order Franciscans of Mercy
God hath not called us unto uncleanness,
but unto sanctification: in Christ Jesus our Lord. (I Thess.
4. 1-17 )
We are called to a life of sanctification according to
the readings from Paul’s letter to the people of Thessalonica after his
departure in 51 or 52 A.D.
If we are called to a life of sanctification then we
need to diligently work toward that goal.
A life of sanctification means
to live in God, meaning to live as Jesus instructed us, in other words to abhor
degradation, hatred, violence, prejudice discrimination, bullying and war and
constantly speak out against them.
The only war we should be
carrying out is the war against Satan and the minions of Satan.
Looking around the world today
we see the fruits of Satan’s temptations all around us. We see it in the
actions of some of those who claim to be representatives of Jesus Christ; we
see it in our elected officials, in corporate leaders and entertainment
personalities.
We see it in those who minds are
closed to exploring the truth and those who accept everything that is fed to
them on the internet by individuals who are paid to disseminate, often times
inaccurate, information in order to sell a product, a candidate or a special
interest point of view.
Jesus said; “Seek and you will
find” To seek means to explore, to open ourselves up and reflect on the
historical truths, to investigate all claims that people make including claims
made by those who say they are teachers of God’s word.
Holy Scripture MUST be taken in
light of the times and customs in which it was written. Those who wrote the
Scriptures, although under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, did so within
the understanding and customs of their times. This must be taken into account
when interpreting and using Scripture, especially when dealing with many
contemporary issues.
We need to ask ourselves, for
example, if Jesus were on earth today what role He would give to women in the
church today.
It is very clear to me,
considering how much respect He had for the woman who faithfully followed him
and their prominence in His ministry, that woman would have had a much more
prominent role in ministry today.
The fact is that in the early
church, they did, we have reference to Phoebe and other women and the qualities
a woman deacon should possess written in Paul's Epistles.
We know that women had a place
in ministering the Eucharist and in leading liturgies, so why are they
relegated in this modern world to lesser roles?
You and I have been called by
God, to live a life that reflects the teachings of Jesus. The prime teaching of
Christ could not be any clearer. LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU.
When you love someone, you do
not, under any circumstances, want to be the cause of pain and suffering.
When you love someone, you try
to shield them from harm. You gently advise them of their mistakes and guide
them. If necessary you try to obtain healing for them. That is Love.
If today, we had more love for
all God’s creatures and children the world would not be in the mess it is in.
You and I are being called to
actively live a life of sanctity, a life that reflects toward everyone we
encounter God’s infinite love.
We are being called to do all
within our power to bring about a change in the attitudes that cause so much
pain and suffering in this world.
Every tiny thing we do that
makes progress toward our call from God to a life of sanctity will bring us closer
to God and God will reward us by giving us the strength we need to continue His
work here on earth.
Paul begins his second letter to Timothy with these
words, “For God has not given us a spirit
of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. Therefore do not be ashamed
of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in
suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and
called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His
own purpose and grace which was granted us in
Christ Jesus from all eternity, but now has been revealed by the appearing of
our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality
to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and an
apostle and a teacher”. (2 Timothy 1:8-10)
We must always keep in mind the revelation that is
found in all the accounts of the transfiguration from God “This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favor. Listen to him.”
(Matthew 17:5)
I will end this reflection with the admission that to
live a life of sanctity is not easy and to be afraid that we will not measure
up to it is natural.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta even had her doubts or “dark
moments” as she called them but if we have faith and trust in God we can
endure.
Keep in mind what Christ told his apostles after God
spoke on that mountain top; “Stand up,’
he said ‘do not be afraid.”. Matthew
17:7
Our message today is the
knowledge that God is there for us and hears our cry and will always give us
the strength we need to endure if we constantly seek Him and His truth.
Let us go forth from this
moment forward doing all we can preparing ourselves for the resurrection of our
final days by living a life of Faith, Trust in God and extending a, Godly Love toward
all God’s children we encounter as we travel the highway of life. AMEN
