Zumo News

*REFLECTION CAPSULE FOR THE DAY*

_“Being a joyful ‘Ambassador’ for Christ and His Kingdom!”_

*May 07, (Based on Acts 13:13-25 and Saint John 13:16-20.... 4th Week of Easter)*

An ambassador is an official envoy, especially a high ranking diplomat who represents a state.

>> He/she is usually accredited to another sovereign state, or to an international organization as the resident representative of their own government or sovereign.

 

The ambassadors have some general functions...

>> Diplomatic :

 Conducting negotiations with the host government, representing their state in meetings and delivering messages on behalf of their own government, receiving messages the host government for relay back to their own; being the spokesperson for their government etc.

 

>> Ceremonial: 

Representing their government at public events in that host country and being the most visible symbol of their own country

>> Administrative: 

Overseeing the operations at the embassy and of other diplomats and staff.

 

 

This word "ambassador" is also often used more liberally for persons who are known, without national appointment, to represent certain professions, activities and fields of endeavour.

 

 

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus, the "Ambassador" of His Heavenly Father, and who in turn, invites each of us to be His Ambassador and of His Kingdom in our world.

 

Jesus says: "Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send, receives Me, and whoever receives Me, receives the One who sent Me" (Jn 13:20)

 

Jesus came into this world to reveal the love and mercy of God.

>> He is the Love made flesh and the Mercy incarnate.

 

While on earth, Jesus sought to be the perfect Representative of God, His Almighty and Beloved Father.

 

Finding deep communion in long hours of prayer, Jesus would emphatically give witness to His Father, by His mighty deeds of power, spectacular wonders of healing and His heart-touching words of eternal life.

 

This mission of being the Ambassador of the Father, was however, not without its shares of pain for Jesus...

... He had the face the pain of being rejected by His own people

... He had to bear the agony of being betrayed by His own chosen one

... He had to face the humiliation of the worst form of execution known those days

 

Yet, none of this could deter the Lord from choosing to be the "Ambassador" for the Kingdom of Heaven.

 

 

He today invites each one of us to be an "Ambassador" for Him and His Kingdom.

 

Like an ambassador of the state or a country, perhaps we too have certain functions and roles as being the privileged "Ambassador for Christ"...

 

>> Diplomatic:

In the sense of not being compromising, but a function that makes us to be convinced and passionate in preaching the message of the Lord and His Kingdom to others.

 

Nothing should bring us low or falter us from standing firm in proclaiming His Word and standing for His Gospel virtues.

 

>> Ceremonial:

In the sense of not being show-off or parading mere externally, rather a duty that requires of us to make our very lives and every action a witness of the Love and Mercy of God.

 

~~ Our very words should reflect the goodness of the Lord

~~ Our very actions should radiate the gentleness and holiness of the Lord

~~ Our very life should mirror the self-sacrificing and altruistic nature of the Lord.

 

Administrative

In the sense of not being power-hungry or position-seekers, rather, with a servant-like attitude, seeking the good and upliftment of others.

 

As a representative of Christ, we must also feel the obligation within us to bring others to the faith in Jesus and make His message of love and holiness to spread to all.

 

The spiritual growth of the other ought to become a genuine concern for me!

 

St Paul in his Second Letter to the Corinthians echoes this call and invite of the Lord, to be His Ambassadors...

"We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us” (2 Cor 5:18-20).

We read in the Acts of the Apostles of St Paul along with other companions giving a public witness to Jesus and thus becoming His ambassador! (Acts 13:14 ff)

  

May we also be firm and joyful in being an "Ambassador for Christ and His Kingdom"!

 

 

_God bless! Live Jesus!_

-------------------------------

*Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS)* – “ _One single day of devotion is worth more than a thousand years of worldly life!”_

--------------------------------

*By Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS*

share on
           


Kindly Login or Register to comment and like and earn

Others are reading

Now these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt The word of God who was in the world and waiting for his people is very important to me Kenya's sh 1 trillion counterfeit world crippling manufacturers economy. Uasin Gishu governor Bii is keen on having good roads that will help us engage in gainful economic activities and spur economic growth in all sectors. Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii’s administration has released its development score card for the past one year. Kalonzo has formed a think-tank on how to win over vote-rich region Unmasking Kenya's fertiliser barons Change is constant, very much needed, and very much possible. Life is too short not to live it to the fullest. Azimio leaders joins doctors on strike,,'you must know to respect our doctors 'Kalonzo fumes