Partners in Peace: Our Mission with Christ
“For the Souls in Purgatory – Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord”
Colossians 1:9-20
Therefore, from the day we heard this, we do not cease praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding to live in a manner worthy of the Lord, so as to be fully pleasing, in every good work bearing fruit and growing in the knowledge of God, strengthened with every power, in accord with his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light. He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.
Grace Prayed For
This passage prompts us to pray for the grace to be filled with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. Specifically, we can pray for a grace that allows us to see every person and every situation through the lens of our union with Christ’s body. We pray for the grace to not just see individuals as separate entities, but as potential or existing members of the one body, and to act accordingly. This grace empowers us to both share and receive love and truth in every encounter, recognizing that in doing so, we are participating in Christ’s mission of reconciliation.
Reflection
Pause for a moment and allow your soul to breathe in these words. This passage isn’t just a theological statement; it’s a love letter from God to you. See Jesus not just as a historical figure, but as the pulsating, living heartbeat of all creation. He is the one in whom all things were created, and in whom all things hold together. Just think about that: the galaxies, the birds, the very cells in your body—they all find their coherence in Him. And then, the most stunning revelation: He is the head of the body, the church. That means you and I are not just spectators in this grand cosmic story; we are part of His very body. When you pray, you are not just an individual speaking to God; you are a living cell in Christ’s body, drawing life from the Head. Your prayer is His prayer. Your love is His love.
This profound union is not static. It’s dynamic, a flow of grace. Jesus didn’t just create things and walk away; He is actively, relentlessly at work reconciling all things to himself, making peace by the blood of his cross. This reconciliation isn’t just a one-time event; it’s an ongoing mission. He has redeemed you, delivered you from darkness, and made you a participant in His kingdom. This intimate connection means that every encounter you have, every conversation, every shared meal, is a chance to participate in His mission of reconciliation. When you share a kind word, you are offering a taste of the peace that He has made. When you listen to someone’s pain, you are a channel of His healing love. You are a part of His body, carrying His peace into a world desperate for it. This isn’t a task you take on alone; it’s a shared heartbeat, a divine partnership where you are filled with His life, so that you can become an extension of His reconciling work in the world.
Announcing Jesus in Our Lives
Evangelizing in My Daily Life
My life has been profoundly impacted by Jesus’s love. It’s a love that has transformed my brokenness into a story of grace, reminding me that I am always forgiven and always cherished. This personal experience of being loved by Jesus is the source of my mission. Evangelizing isn’t about forceful persuasion; it’s about sharing this love in simple, authentic ways. I can fulfill my baptismal mission by being a living partner with Jesus in restoring all of God’s creation. This means:
Listening with a Reconciling Heart: Just as Jesus made peace through the blood of the cross, I can be an agent of reconciliation in my own small ways. This might mean listening to a friend’s pain without judgment, helping to bridge a divide in a family, or simply offering a non-anxious presence in a difficult situation. By doing so, I partner with Jesus to restore broken relationships and bring wholeness to the world.
Sharing My Story: Gently and authentically, I can share how Jesus has impacted my life, not with a script, but with a humble heart. When someone asks about my peace or my hope, I can respond with honesty, saying, “It’s because of my faith in Jesus. He has changed my life.”
Practicing Radical Kindness: I can choose to be a vessel of Jesus’s love by offering genuine kindness to everyone I meet—the barista, the coworker, the stranger on the street. A smile, a listening ear, or a simple act of service can be a powerful witness to the love of God.
When Time Allows Reflect on the Posts in Library and Musings
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post