In the above passage, Jesus was speaking to his apostles shortly before his arrest and subsequent death. They had spent three years with Him – getting to know Him, learning from Him about His kingdom, witnessing amazing miracles, and being challenged to love radically. In some of His final words to them, He reiterates key points:

• His disciples are His friends
• His disciples are chosen and appointed
• His disciples must go and bear fruit – and this fruit is born through love

We’ve already reflected on the reality that we must sit at the Lord’s feet, to get to know His heart and also to receive from Him what He wants us to share with others. Through our time of prayer, we receive our call to missionary discipleship. “Go.” He says to us. “Go and share what you have received from Me with the world.”

This can be daunting, as we consider the people we encounter on a regular basis. Not everyone believes in God. Not everyone ascribes to Catholic moral teaching. Family members may be at, what seems like, insurmountable odds over politics. We may carry deep wounds from past hurts. We ourselves may feel so weak in the face of different temptations.

The good news is that the Lord does not send us into the world alone. He has given us the greatest gift: the Holy Spirit, of whom He said “You will be clothed with power from on high” and “He will teach you everything”. This is why it is important to cultivate an interior disposition that is actively listening to what the Holy Spirit may say and how He may direct us. Because He will give each of us unique gifts to use in our own particular circumstances.

And Jesus is very clear about using our gifts:
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”

By sharing our gifts, as long as we are motivated by love, we become the light of the world. The light of Jesus begins to shine into those dark places within our relationships and within our workplaces and neighborhoods and within our parish. We become instruments of restoration in the salvation of the world, bearing good fruit for the sake of the Body of Christ.

This is our call and responsibility as disciples. If you would like to discern how the Lord might be calling you to share your gifts at the parish, please reach out to Darren at 480-775-5264 or [email protected] or Jessica at 480-775-5218 or [email protected].