Set Apart...Sent Forth...to Shine

~~~ Acts of the Apostles 12:24—13:5a ~~~ Psalm 67 ~~~ John 12:44-50 ~~~

 

'...Set apart for...

...the work to which I have called them...

...sent forth by the Holy Spirit...'

 

Through our Baptism we have each been set apart.

Through our Confirmation we have been sent forth by the Holy Spirit.

Now how we live our life speaks louder than the words we might speak.

 

How do you respond knowing that you have been set apart?

How does this make you different?

 

Some may erroneously believe they have been set apart for the wrong reasons.

God will never set you apart to cause harm or destruction

to another person.

We are set apart by God to do good...to pray for others...

to treat others justly with compassion.

We are set apart to be a conduit of God's love.

 

It is true that because we are frail humans

we sometimes fail to live up to the mission for which God has called us.

But he is a patient God who is there to light the path of return.

 

May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth

 

The psalmist draws from the blessing in the Book of Numbers.

Part of the blessing is requesting God to let his face shine upon us.

The God of light shines his benevolent face of grace

upon all who call upon his name.

 

 

Without this light of truth and goodness;

we would be forever lost within the darkness that obscures the world.

 

I came into the world as light,

I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world.

 

In spite of this darkness Jesus brings forth the light

which is from God

which is of God.

God is the source of all light.

He is the Creator of the Light.

Jesus is the manifestation of this light for us to witness.

We come to learn and love God best through

knowledge and love for his Son, Jesus.

 

The presence of the Son makes the love of the Father more real.

Our God is truly an awesome God...

a God who saves in as many ways as possible.

If we ask for forgiveness we will be granted it.

 

May the light of Christ shine out to all of the world through each of us.

 

The Easter Blessing

of being set apart and sent forth.

Bring the Light of Christ with wherever you go.

May God let his face shine upon you!