Our seemingly mundane daily activities are a chance to model Christ to another person through listening, accompaniment, and service. After all, we do not have one identity in the church and another outside. We have one baptismal identity that we can live out with every breath and every action.
These actions become the church’s prayerful, Spirit-guided work that heals the world. Referring to the Sermon on the Mount (Jesus’ first sermon in the book of Matthew), Jesus tells us that the mission glorifies God and that we are meant for mission:
“…Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16.
We live out our baptismal promises whenever we proclaim Christ through word and deed, care for others and the world God made, and work for justice and peace (ELW, Augsburg Fortress, 2006, p. 228).
This message is excerpted from “Divinely claimed” by Denise Rector in the September/October 2021 Gather magazine. Today we commemorate Matthew, apostle and evangelist.
If you enjoy this resource, Donate Now.