Thursday, August 28, 2008

Ambassadors for Christ

About 4 years ago, while doing some window shopping in the now closed down Jaya Supermarket, I came across a stall selling Christian stuff (t shirts, caps etc) One of the interesting wares that was being sold was a cap with the legend “Ambassadors for Christ” emblazoned on it. I found it to be interesting and had wanted to buy it but found it too costly at that time.

The thought that ran through my mind was this “Would anyone dare to wear this cap in public?” At that time I thought it was cool and radical if one were to wear things like that. But that aside, I wonder how many of us would be daring enough to put that cap on?

During the recent World Youth Day in Sydney, I saw the answer to that question. Everywhere, pilgrims, young and old, from all around the world gathered in Sydney and put on caps or t shirts which legends like “I Love Benedict XVI” and the likes. This goes to show that Christ is very much alive in this world and we are all proud to be his followers. But is it enough just to wear t shirts, caps etc? What we wear externally does not always show what is in us. Are we willing to go further than this? Jesus, during his earthly ministry appointed 12 apostles and later on 72 disciples to preach in his name and continue his mission. This mission has since been handed down through the generations.

I remember reading a story a few years ago. It tells of a young girl being asked what Jesus’ followers were called. The girl, who could not remember the proper word, answered “Samples” That answer may bring smiles or perhaps laughter from us but when we think of it, the answer is essentially correct. After all, we are called to be Christ to others, to bring his love to all around us. Isn’t that what a sample is? A foretaste of the real thing?

The word "Apostle" comes from the Greek word apostello, which means "to send forth", "to dispatch". Apostolos (Apostle) means one who is sent forth, dispatched--in other words, who is entrusted with a mission, rather, a foreign mission. It has, however, a stronger sense than the word messenger, and means as much as a delegate. Christ, in the Act of the Apostles, sends down the Holy Spirit and entrusts us to be his witnesses throughout the whole world (cf Acts 1:8)

George Cardinal Pell, in his homily for the opening Mass of World Youth Day 2008 says, “The call of the one true God remains mysterious, especially today when many good people find it hard to believe. Even in the time of the prophets many of their hearers remained spiritually deaf and blind, while any number over the ages have admired the beauty of Jesus’ teaching, but never been moved to answer his call.

Our task is to be open to the power of the Spirit, to allow the God of surprises to act through us. Human motivation is complex and mysterious, because sometimes very strong Catholics, and other strong Christians, can be prayerful and regularly good, but also very determined not to take even one further step. On the other hand, some followers of Christ can be much less zealous and faithful, but open to development, to change for the better because they realise their unworthiness and their ignorance. Where do you stand?

Whatever our situation we must pray for an openness of heart, for a willingness to take the next step, even if we are fearful of venturing too much further. If we take God’s hand, He will do the rest. Trust is the key. God will not fail us.”

To become a witness to Christ in this day and age is not easy. The advancement of science and technology has reduced a lot of things to mere mathematical equations and scientific formulas. How do we bring Christ to a world where many people do not feel the need for religion or God? Like what Cardinal Pell says, we need to be open to the power of the Spirit, to allow God to work through us. We cannot be ambassadors for Christ if we ourselves are not open to the promptings of the Spirit.

We do not have to have the gift of preaching or evangelising to be his witnesses. As St Pauls says in his letter to the Corinthians “As it is, these remain: faith, hope and love, the three of them; and the greatest of them is love.” (cf 1 Cor 13:13) All we have to do is share God’s love to all who is around us and let God do the rest. From my own personal experience, many of my colleagues have asked me whether I’m a Christian because of the way I treat them. Then I will share with them about Christ and his love for us. Whether or not they are touched, that is God’s work. I have sown the seed and that is sufficient.

So do not be afraid to share his love. We are all that Christ has in this world to continue on his mission. He has no other plan. The ultimate question would be whether or not we are willing to do it. If we are willing then God will definitely give us the courage and strength to carry on his work here on earth.