We are chosen and called!

The Word that the Holy Church addresses to us on this 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time emphasizes the important truth about the universal call to holiness and chastity, and to share this truth with other people. Saint Paul teaches us this in his letter: “In him he chose us before the foundation of the world, that we might be holy and blameless before him.” Heaven, a state of eternal happiness and holiness, is intended for those who, while passing through life on earth, took Jesus’ instructions seriously: “Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48) and “Be holy, for I am holy”(1 Pt 1: 15-16).

Our call to holiness includes two tasks. The first is to grow our inner spiritual lives, as St. Paul describes: holy life is full of love, which can be seen through our patience, gentleness, self-control, joy, peace and other virtues. The second is our apostolic commitment and its fruit. We, too, will be asked one day: How many people have obtained the grace of salvation thanks to our faith and life testimony? How many disciples have we brought to Christ and His Kingdom? This is the most important task on earth, for this was Jesus’ last command. Therefore, by sending out his disciples, He shows them that the preaching of the Good News is the most important. He orders them not to take anything with them, not to be attached to any external things. Jesus gives his power and authority to the disciples prepared in this way. “So, they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.” Today, Jesus places the mission of the Church in our hands, invites everyone to share his Word.

Roman Harmata PA