Why do we do what we do as Christians? What drives us? St. John in the first reading gives us the ultimate Motivation : "We love becau...
Why do we do what we do as Christians? What drives us? St. John in the first reading gives us the ultimate Motivation: "We love because he first loved us." This is crucial. We do not love God or neighbor in order to earn God’s love. We don't serve to get "points" for heaven. We serve as a reaction, a response to the overwhelming reality that God loved us first, even when we were unlovable. When our motivation is duty, we burn out. When our motivation is gratitude for being loved, we are energized.
This love propels us into Mission. In the Gospel, Jesus returns to Nazareth, unrolls the scroll of Isaiah, and defines His mission: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me... to bring glad tidings to the poor... liberty to captives... sight to the blind." This is the "Nazareth Manifesto." It is the blueprint of Jesus’ work, and by virtue of our baptism, it is our mission too. We are anointed to look for the "poor" in spirit, those "captive" to sin or addiction, and those "blind" to the truth. Our mission is not to be comfortable Catholics, but to be agents of liberation in our corners of the world.
Finally, we must consider the Message we carry. Jesus says, "Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing." He brought Good News. In a world saturated with bad news—wars, corruption, scandals—Christians are often tempted to become cynical or to join the chorus of complaints. But we are bearers of the Gospel, which literally means "Good News." Our message must be one of hope, grace, and possibility. When people speak to you, do they leave feeling heavier or lighter?
Challenge: Check your words today. Be a carrier of the Message. Speak words of life and encouragement to someone who expects judgment or indifference.
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