But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath. Indeed, if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, once reconciled, will we be saved by his life. (Romans 5:8-10)
The readings today have two aspects to them: “election” and “mission.” In the first reading we hear about how God chose the Israelites. He told them “if you hearken to my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my special possession, dearer to me than all other people, though all the earth is mine. You shall be to me a kingdom of priests, a holy nation.” (Ex. 19:5-6). Why did God choose the Israelites, among all of the nations on earth? There could be many reasons, but the most apparent one is that He wanted one people that He could prepare to receive the gift of His Son as the Messiah and Savior of the world. Their mission was to preserve the covenant, record the promises that God had made, and then recognize His Son when He came.
If you are reading this note, in all likelihood, you have also been elected. You have been elected because you are a baptized believer in the Son of God. You are seeking to do His will, despite your own sins. St. Paul is addressing the words written above to you. You have been saved by the shedding of the blood of the unblemished Lamb of God, Our Lord Jesus Christ. And having been saved, you are part of His mission.
In the end of every Mass in Latin, the priest says to the congregation: “Ite, missa est.” These words are why we call the Sunday Eucharistic celebration “Mass.” Pope Benedict explained it thusly: “In antiquity, ‘missa’ simply meant ‘dismissal.’ In Christian usage, however, it gradually took on a deeper meaning. The word ‘dismissal’ has come to imply a ‘mission.’ These few words succinctly express the missionary nature of the Church.” Sacramentum caritatis (2007).
Regardless of the etymology, if we are baptized Christians, then we are part of the mission of the Church, which is to bring the good news to people. St. Therese of Lisieux was once asked why there are so many non-Christians in the world. She responded very frankly, “Because of the laziness of Christians in not bringing them the good news.” We are not all called to be priests, deacons, catechists or teachers of theology. But we are all part of the mission: to bring the good news of Jesus to others.
(Very Rev. Msgr.) Christopher H. Nalty
msgr.nalty@gmail.com
