Knowing Christ and Embracing His Mission

Happy Pentecost to one and all!

“Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.!”

On this Pentecost Sunday, the Archdiocese of Seattle enters into a crucial phase of pastoral planning. We invite all individuals, families, parishes, schools and ministries to renew the life that is ours in the Risen Christ and live more fully his mission – the mission of the Church. 

The image of Jesus at the well with the Samaritan woman is a paradigm for each of us. Jesus longed to give her faith, the gift of new life in him. Because of her encounter with Jesus, her life changed. Life for each of us is fundamentally oriented by our relationship with Jesus. As the Samaritan woman left her encounter with Jesus, she immediately began to tell others about him. She then brought them to Jesus so they could see and hear for themselves.

This is how the mission of the Church operates. Because the mission is the mission of Jesus, our relationship with Jesus is essential. Thus, we wish to encourage everyone to renew this critical and life-giving relationship. What was true for the Samaritan woman (and everyone else who encounters Jesus Christ) is true for us. Our life is changed, and he sends us into the world to be his witnesses. We bring Christ to others, and then lead them to Christ.

That is the second essential point for our prayerful consideration at this phase of pastoral planning, to spend time praying with the great commission of Jesus.

Jesus said to his disciples, “All authority 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 obey  everything I have commanded you. And remember I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28: 19-20)

You can find resources to help you enter into this important time of prayer and discernment on our Archdiocese of Seattle website. 

Please join me in praying for the success of this time of renewal:

Lord Jesus, we give you thanks for your ministry on earth,
in which you proclaimed the Kingdom of God and conversion of life.
We give you thanks for your passion, death and resurrection
by which you manifested the perfect love of God,
offering all who believe in you the gift of eternal life.
We thank you for your promise to remain with us always
as we faithfully carry out your mission.

As members of your Mystical Body, the Church,
we come to you seeking the gift
and guidance of your Holy Spirit.
Help us to become who you call us to be
and to accomplish all you ask of us
according to the will of the Father.

Grant us the grace of knowing you, loving you and serving you
in all our brothers and sisters.
Grant that our faith in you may permeate every aspect of our lives.
Help us to shed all worldly ways
that we may live the Gospel with truth and integrity.
Grant that we may be more perfectly conformed to you
and live as your witnesses in the world today. Amen.

Mother of the New Evangelization, pray for us!