A New Creation, A New Mission
“For the Souls in Purgatory – Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord”
2 Corinthians 5:17-21
So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come. And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting their trespasses against them and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. So we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.
Grace Prayed For
Based on this passage, we are prompted to pray for the grace to fully live in our new identity as a “new creation,” so that we may courageously and obediently embrace our role as Christ’s ambassadors, carrying His message of reconciliation into every encounter.
Reflection
What does it mean to be a “new creation”? It’s not just a fresh start or turning over a new leaf. It is a fundamental change in our very being, a change born from intimacy with our Creator. Before Christ, we were defined by “the old things”—our failures, our wounds, our separation from God. But “in Christ,” God looks at us and sees not our past, but His Son. He reconciles us to Himself, drawing us into the perfect, loving relationship of the Trinity. This is the heart of intimacy: to be seen, known, and loved completely by God, not for what we do, but for who we have become in Him.
This incredible gift of intimacy immediately gives birth to our mission. God, having reconciled us, immediately gives us the “ministry of reconciliation.” It’s a breathtaking thought. He doesn’t keep the work of salvation to Himself; He entrusts it to us. We are not just recipients of His grace; we are appointed as its carriers.
This is where obedience comes in. Our mission is to be “ambassadors for Christ.” An ambassador does not speak their own opinions or promote their own agenda. They are utterly obedient to the message of the one who sent them. Our message is not one of condemnation or judgment. It is a heartfelt, urgent plea: “Be reconciled to God.”
In every encounter, our theme comes alive. We first receive the reconciliation God offers (intimacy). Then, we share it by being His ambassadors (mission). This requires us to be obedient to the Spirit, setting aside our own “old” reactions—judgment, anger, impatience—and instead, carrying God’s appeal. We are living proof that Jesus, who knew no sin, became sin for us. Why? So that in our own lives, in our own encounters, we could become the very righteousness of God, showing the world what His reconciling love looks like.
Daily Evangelization and Baptismal Mission
Being an “ambassador for Christ” is a mission you can live out every single day.
- Be a Reconciler. You are entrusted with the “ministry of reconciliation.” In your family, at work, or among friends, when there is division, tension, or misunderstanding, be the one who builds bridges instead of walls. This partners with Jesus in restoring a broken piece of His creation by bringing peace.
- Share Your Story of Being Made New. Your life is a testament to the passage. Share how Jesus has loved you by making you a “new creation.” You could say, “I used to be so defined by my anxiety (or anger, or past mistakes), but my relationship with Jesus has reconciled me with God and with myself. He has truly made me new.”
- “Appeal” Through Action. God is “appealing through us.” Sometimes that appeal is a loving action, not words. When you see someone who is isolated or struggling, appeal to them on Christ’s behalf by offering a helping hand, a listening ear, or a simple act of kindness. This shows them the unconditional love of the God who seeks to be reconciled with them.
- Forgive as You Have Been Forgiven. As one whose trespasses are “not counted against them,” be an ambassador of mercy. When someone hurts you, your obedience to Christ is to offer forgiveness. This is a powerful witness to the core of the Gospel: that God, in Christ, does not hold our sins against us.
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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