Gospel reading: Matthew 8:5-11
We who are servants of Jesus are soldiers in his army, tasked for mission in the world. He is our Commander-in-Chief, the one under whose authority we serve. The centurion understood army command very well. “For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” (v.9).
How about us, especially the commanders of warriors in CFC-FFL?
Jesus tells us to go and proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth. From the very start we have been an evangelistic and missionary community. But are our brethren on the go? If we are, then there will be vast territories that the Lord will allow us to conquer. But our evangelization is stalled, there is not much growth in numbers (or even in spirituality), and there is even strife among brethren. When you take your (gun)sight away from the enemy, you will end up fighting each other.
Jesus tells us to come to him. Are we drawing closer to him? Are we faithful to prayer and reading of the Bible? Are we growing in holiness? Are we living our lives in the Spirit or more according to the flesh? Are we more engaged in secular pursuits rather than the work of the Kingdom?
Jesus tells us to do this or that. He tells us to grow in our faith (to live Christ), and he sends us forth to evangelize (to share Christ). And we are to do so as his servants and soldiers. This is such a great privilege, certainly something we are not worthy of. “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof” (v.8a).
We are weak, sinful and undeserving. But if we have faith, and if we present ourselves to be used by our Lord in whatever way he intends, aspects that are in short supply in the Church today (which exists for mission), then Jesus will be amazed. “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith.” (v.10b).
As we subject our lives to the authority of Jesus, and as we go forth on mission as warriors, what will be the result? Many will experience the salvation that Jesus already won for them on the cross. “I say to you, many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the kingdom of heaven” (v.11).
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