I believe that Christians have the best job in the world, that is, to “offer the Gospel free of charge.” Yesterday’s readings reminded me of this great commission and how if my heart is not truly set on working for His kingdom, then I could be in danger of deep desolation and lamentation just as Job experienced in the first reading.
“So I have been assigned months of misery, and troubled nights have been allotted to me.” –Job 7
However, if I decide to truly seek His kingdom and do His will, then I must follow the instructions of St. Paul and try my best to imitate Him, who imitated Christ as a missionary.
“I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible.” –1 Cor 9
And in the Gospel I am reminded that ultimately, this is the work of Jesus Christ through me. He’s the one who heals the “sick with various diseases” and who drives out the demons. Thus, this “job” that I have is not mine but His through me. It’s Christ continuing His ministry of feeding His sheep through me. It’s Christ using my weaknesses, my strengths, and my personality to bring about the light of His kingdom and the love of God.
In the gospel I was also reminded of the most important duty of a Christian and the only obligation, because this is what is needed to be able to do the will of God, that is, to pray. In prayer I receive His instructions and the grace to carry them out.
“Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.” –Mark 1
Jesus rose very early and went off to a deserted place so that He could be with His Father. He had performed many miracles the day before and He knew there were still many places to go, more people to reach and show that the kingdom of God is at hand. If Jesus daily prayed to His Father, then so must I through Him in the Eucharist.
In this job, Jesus is my boss who has made Himself a slave to all so that he might win as many as possible. Now He has called me to do the same as a FTPW, future husband, and father, and whatever else He calls me to. I pray for the strength to see this through. It’s not going to be an easy journey, but it’s worth it. I will fall 7 times daily, I will sustain wounds, and my heart will break time and time again, but God is good. As I take care of His sheep, I know that He will take care of me, and no matter how far I stray from Him, He will always seek me out, embrace me, and bring me home.
“He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
He tells the number of the stars;
he calls each by name.” –Psalm 147