Reflecting on the Holy Spirit, the Body of Christ, and Mission

Easter Blessings! 

In preparation for a listening session during this interim period for the Synod on Synodality, I prayed the recommended passages from John 14, Romans 12, and Isaiah 61. I used them as an examination of conscience. 

In John 14, Jesus asks the Father to give “another Advocate to be with you always.” Do I, do we, believe in the Holy Spirit, and that the Holy Spirit is with us always, and in all ways? 

In Romans, St. Paul reminds us that we are one body with many parts. Do I, do we, believe that the Holy Spirit knits us together as “one body in Christ?” 

Do I, do we, believe that Jesus, in and through the power of the Holy Spirit, has sent us on mission? The same mission the Jesus proclaimed from the Prophet Isaiah (Luke 4). 

Yes Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief. 

The Spirit of the living God is with us always. We, though many, are one body. As members of USCMA, we are, and aspire to be, a community of practice engaged in networking, formation, and advocacy for God’s mission. Jesus himself, crucified and risen from the dead, has sent us to all people, everywhere, to be God’s mission of love, salvation, and justice in the world. And he, like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, is with us on the journey always. 

Isn’t this our Easter joy? 

To foster this community of practice, we have redesigned ENCOUNTER so that it is more engaging for mission leaders and less expensive to produce. We look forward to your comments and suggestions. 

Don McCrabb