[Editor's Note: This is the third of a series of articles on the theme, “Growing in Faith and Spiritual Maturity as Catholic Men.” Click here to find the first article and second article.]
This is a continuation of articles on three stages of growth in our Christian life as Catholic men, i.e.:
1. Conversion
2. Transformation
3. Mobilization for Mission (especially Evangelization)
The previous Catholic Man articles have covered the first and second stages of growth. This article will cover the third stage, “Mobilization for Mission.” Of course, these are not three sequential stages, but each one is an ongoing process that continues throughout our entire life. Future articles will show how transformation leads to a desire for mission and a desire to evangelize, that is, a desire to tell others about Jesus and his saving work through our words and service, and the life we live.
In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper. (Acts 13:1-5)
It probably didn’t look like much, but it was the prayer gathering where Saul (St. Paul) and Barnabas were being “mobilized for mission” and it marked the beginning of journeys that changed the world. From now on, Paul would spend most of his time traveling — preaching the gospel and establishing churches. Do you think that, as he was prayed over, Paul felt like a hero? Do you think he guessed how successful he would be? Not at all! He and Barnabas simply responded to God’s word, and from their obedience to the prophetic sense of their local church, there came great fruit for the whole church.
Maybe you don’t feel like a hero or a person with a great mission either. But how do you know that God isn’t calling you to be one of the Church’s great heroes and saints? One thing is certain: God has a specific plan and calling for you, a mission he will empower you to fulfill. He has commissioned you to serve him as an indispensable minister of the gospel — perhaps in your family, at work, in school, around town, in prison, in your parish, or in some combination of these settings. Believe it or not, God wants to use you to build his kingdom!
Of course, not everybody is a pastor or an apostle. But have you ever considered whether God is calling you to other ministries, which are important, but less obvious? Take intercession: How would the Church survive without people who give themselves to prayer? Perhaps you have a gift for forming young people so that they can come to know God in a personal way. If you have a heart for service, you can inspire others by the way you do even the smallest job in the church with peace and joy.
It doesn’t matter one bit whether God has called you to serve him in ways that seem important or in others that don’t. To him, they’re all important! Young or old, businessman or laborer, married or single, inmates or college students — whatever we are, wherever we are, each of us has a specific calling and mission.
And we are not called to do it alone. Just as Paul had Barnabas and Mark to support him, so God desires you to join with a “band of brothers” who will support and pray for you, and serve together as brothers in Christ.
Remember, even in the most hidden life, there will be mountains to move and plenty of room for heroism. Empowered by the Spirit, may we all answer God’s call and rise to every challenge!
“Jesus, I want to answer your call and mission for my life. Help me to discern your voice, and give me the courage to say yes and obey you.”
(Maurice Blumberg is Executive Director of the National Fellowship of Catholic Men. This article is part of NFCM's sponsorship of the Catholic Man channel. Contact NFCM at P.O. Box 86381, Gaithersburg, MD 20886 or e-mail them at info@nfcmusa.org. Many thanks to The Word Among Us for allowing us to adapt the May 10, 2006 meditation from the Easter 2006 issue of their magazine. If you would like to make a contribution to the NFCM, just click here.)
Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men
1. Paul and Barnabas’ mission was first discerned by his church, which prayed over them and sent them forth. Why was this important?
2. Paul was supported by Barnabas and Mark on his missions. Why is it important to be “mobilized for mission” not as Lone Ranger Christians, but as part of a “band of brothers” who will support you and pray for you?
3. What impact did the article have on your understanding of God’s call and mission for your life? Did it broaden your understanding of the term “mission”? How would you describe your call today?
4. If you are in a men’s group, at the end of your meeting pray for one another and ask the Lord to reveal a mission he may have for you and the men in your group.
5. In the upcoming weeks, be alert to any doors the Lord may open for you and your men’s group to serve him more fully. Through prayer and discussion, try to discern the Lord’s will in these opportunities at your next meeting.
