Resurrection to Mission: Living the Ancient FaithSample

Day 9: Living the Message Today

The message of Pentecost is not just for clergy or missionaries - it is for every Christian. This truth resonates deeply within the heart of everyone who claims the name of a true Christian. Jesus says, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” (John 20:21 NKJV) - this foundational principle dissolves artificial barriers between those perceived to be “called” and the everyday believer. Each person, by virtue of their baptism and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit during the Sacrament of Baptism and Sacrament of Chrismation, respectively, is commissioned to be an agent of Christ’s transformative love in the world. Where might you ask? Each of us has a pulpit: our workplace, family, and community. We are all sent to bring Christ’s light into the world’s darkness, everywhere and anywhere.

“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 28:19 NKJV)

The Great Commission is not a suggestion for a few but a mandate for all believers. Wherever God has placed us, whether office, home, or neighborhood, we are missionaries. Our spheres of influence are in reality vibrant, fertile grounds awaiting to be tilled, and receive the seed of witnessing to Christ’s character and His love through integrity, diligence, and compassion. The family, the most intimate of human connections, serves as the primary training ground for discipleship, where faith is nurtured, values are instilled, and love is tangibly expressed. The broader community, encompassing neighborhoods, social circles, and civic engagements, presents countless opportunities to extend a helping hand, speak words of encouragement, and embody the justice and peace of God's Kingdom.

At Pentecost, the promise in Joel 2:28 NKJV is fulfilled: “I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh.” The Holy Spirit is no longer reserved for prophets or kings, but is given to all believers, whether young and old, men and women, rich and poor, and empowers each of us for God’s mission.

The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19 NKJV: "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" is the very essence of what it means to follow Jesus. Wherever God, in His infinite wisdom and providence, has strategically placed us we are, in essence, missionaries sent forth with the message of reconciliation and hope.

St. Irenaeus of Lyons captures this reality: “The glory of God is man fully alive; and the life of man is the vision of God.” (Against Heresies, Book 4, Chapter 20, §7)

To be “fully alive” is to be filled with the Spirit, living purposefully, letting Resurrection and Pentecost shape every part of our lives, living with a sense of divine purpose that permeates every facet of our existence. It means allowing the life-altering events of Christ's Resurrection and the empowering descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost to shape our thoughts, our actions, our words, and our very being. This transformative encounter with the living God is not meant to be a private or internal affair but is intended to overflow into the world around us, impacting those we encounter.

The world in its brokenness and longing yearns for authentic witnesses to the transformative power of the Gospel. This deep craving is not merely for eloquent sermons or theological arguments, although these have their place. Rather, the world desperately needs to see lives that have been visibly and truly transformed by an encounter with Jesus Christ.

It is in the consistent demonstration of the fruit of the Spirit that the reality of God's presence becomes tangible and compelling to those who are searching for meaning and hope. Our lives, lived in the light of the Resurrection and empowered by the Spirit of Pentecost, become living testimonies to the truth and transformative power of the ancient faith, offering a beacon of light in the world's pervasive darkness.

Reflection: Are you willing to be sent? Are you ready to let your life be the message? These two questions are intrinsically linked. Our willingness to be sent is often predicated on our understanding that our lives are meant to be a living testament to God’s love. Conversely, the recognition that our lives carry a message compels us to be open to being sent wherever that message needs to be heard and embodied. Together, they form a powerful call to radical discipleship, echoing the spirit of Pentecost where the Holy Spirit empowered ordinary individuals to become extraordinary messengers through both their words and their actions. In a world often saturated with noise and conflicting voices, the authenticity of a life lived in accordance with the Gospel can be a beacon of truth and an invitation for others to encounter the living God.

Today’s Challenge: Where is your “mission field” today? Identify your “mission field” (workplace, home, school, community). Take one intentional step to reflect Christ’s love and light there today.

Prayer: God of life, fill me with Your Spirit so that I may be fully alive in You. Send me, Lord. Let my life be a living vision of Your glory, and help me to share Your love with all those around me. Use me to shine Your light wherever I go. Amen.

The mission is not just about actions but identity. We are Pentecost people, called to live the Gospel daily.