Giving All to Christ

In today’s second reading, St. Paul speaks to us of the core of the fruit of Baptism. When we receive the grace of Baptism, God calls us into His kingdom as servants of the king. Many people focus on Baptism as the means of salvation, which is true, but it is also the commissioning for mission. This is what St. Paul teaches.

Our priorities will change based on our goal, which is eternal life with Christ, and the mission which is part of the goal, preaching the Gospel by living it. This means that we focus our lives in a different way in our relationship with Christ.

The commandments mandate that we love God and neighbor and our focus is now in doing exactly that. This does not mean that we desert our dreams and aspirations, but we focus on them in light of the kingdom of God. What does God call us to do with our talents and desires and how do we use them to benefit the kingdom of God. This is the meaning of vocation.

St. Paul discusses this same principle in 1 Corinthians where he mentions that there are different gifts that different people use for ministry and these diverse level of gifts help make a comprehensive mission in service to Christ. However, the focus is on serving Christ with our gifts, not serving ourselves or rejecting our gifts.

He also says those who are baptized in Christ are baptized into his death. This means that we turn everything over to Christ and allow him to bring forth the fruit of our using our gifts.

Many years ago, I was visiting a priory in California. It was Benedictine and of course they are strong of the use of music in their liturgy. Someone painted for them a beautiful section of music on the wall. Basically, it was one measure with the staff and the notes indicating how singing to the Lord is so important. It was a great piece of art that greeted you as you entered the priory indicating that there is a new emphasis now that you stepped out of the world and into the priory.

It was the use of art to glorify God. The artist could have been focused on becoming rich in doing his or her work but instead chose to glorify God. Now that does not mean he or she does not get paid but it means that they focus on that which serves Christ instead of that which serves their own career goals.

This is what St. Paul explains. If you are a teacher, you never have to mention Christ’s name but your actions as a teacher can glorify God. If you are doctor, the same, a lawyer, a janitor, a writer, whatever, our aspiration is not to become rich and famous but to glorify God.

Keeping that in mind, remember, our role is to serve Christ in all we do. It is for this reason God chose us to be part of his Kingdom.

Fr. Robert J Carr is chaplain for two hospitals in Brockton, Massachusetts

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He is the author of several books including: Christ in Your Humanity