What eye has not seen, …
Imagine realizing in action an apostolate of well formed disciples utilizing their God given resources to voluntarily serve the local church. Imagine something a Saint would form to disciple the community and serve the church as a freely given offering in return for all the blessings received. Not just “inside” the church but to the fullest extent that God created for His love to be known. A church not of professions but vocations.
This concept of a community of disciples serving the community as solely an act of mercy rooted in love alone is so foreign to us. It is almost like going back in time 150 years and explaining Bluetooth technology. Beyond the comprehension of the listener. In our culture of people first identifying with their professions and possessions it is so foreign to comprehend identifying as a Child of God, much less a disciple of Jesus. Yes, most of us have heard that we are a Child of God, but we have also heard that we as Americans are also One Nation under God. Possibly we are One Nation under the God of professions and possessions, but not likely One Nation under THE GOD of the Universe. The harsh reality is that a seasoned disciple living as a Child of THE God of the Universe would have severe internal conflict. Do I seek first to fit into this life or the next?
Spend a little time praying with and contemplating 1 Corinthians 2. In short, “no human mind can imagine the plans of God.” We live in the foolishness of this life where many easily discard the reality of the next life. Proverbs 19:17 only makes sense to the disciple. Paraphrased simply, “When you give to someone in need who cannot pay you back, God views it as a personal loan given directly to Him.” No wonder we struggle to understand the concepts of mercy, discipleship, and church. The love of God is freely given and received. Why do we seem to make everything into a profession and what we can afford? Why is most everything first flushed through risk mitigation? Why has sacrifice devolved into sparing a little of our excess? Why has ministry been relegated mostly to those paid to minister? Because we miss God as our identity.
Look up the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy. Would we be convicted guilty if charged with these Acts as crimes against profitability, efficiency, increasing taxes, endorsing poverty, and community prosperity? Do we want to be found guilty of these charges?
Considering this, is our current model of church falling short? Are we asking too little? Are we really rooted in the love of God? Try sitting at the foot of the cross gazing into the eyes of Jesus or sit with him in the garden in his agony. Reread the last few lines and have a little talk with the God of Creation. What does He say? What does He ask? Love.