God Calls Us to be His Workers

In spite of our foolish and sinful ways, God calls us to be his workers. Scripture tells us that Jesus did not pick people from society’s elite when he chose his workers. Jesus’ disciples were peasants, fishermen, and even a tax collector. Paul wrote, “Brothers, think of what you when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things . . .” (1 Corinthians 1:26-28). The majority of God’s work was done and continues to be done by the lowly and oppressed people.

Certainly, God can use celebrities and very successful people in his work. However, we need to remember that, even though we may not have accomplished anything of worldly significance, broken any records, or won any awards, God can use and transform us into effective workers in his kingdom. “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). Society gives many accolades to those who succeed, but there is no greater honor or privilege than to be chosen as God’s vehicle to spread the Gospel. As John states in his Gospel, it is Jesus who does the choosing. “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit” (John 15:16).

So why does God elevate the foolish and the lowly to be his workers? A reason may be found in 1 Corinthians 1:29: “so that no one may boast before him.” It is only by God’s grace that we are saved, called, and equipped to be in his service. If we come into God’s work with impressive credentials, we risk taking the glory and credit for ourselves. God desires the weak and the lowly. As Paul said, “Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). God uses ordinary people to do extra-ordinary things.  Are you ready for duty?

 “Charge them to do good, to be rich in good works and generous, sharing what they have.” (1 Timothy 6:18) May Timothy’s letter move us to better see how we are using all that the Lord has entrusted to us; our income, our talents. This sense of stewardship will help us grow in faith and concern one for another. That’s what faith community is all about.”

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Saint Gregory the Great (540-604) – September 3

Imagine, 1,400 years after death, boasting a best-selling CD! Yet outside the Church and within, “Gregorian” chant is enjoying a renaissance. The timeless sacred music that bears his name is but part of Gregory’s legacy. Renouncing civic service for monastic life, Gregory’s administrative and diplomatic skills prompted continual summons from the cloister. Papal ambassador and advisor, he was eventually elected pope himself, renowned as a wise steward of the Church’s material possessions, generous benefactor of the poor, sponsor of missionaries, and promotor of monasticism. His liturgical enrichment of the Church endures not only in Gregorian chant, but in eloquent homilies still gracing the Liturgy of the Hours, the “Gregorian Canon” (Eucharistic Prayer I), and his spiritual classic, Pastoral Care, once presented to new bishops at ordination. Of countless impressive papal titles—Supreme Pontiff, Vicar of Christ, Successor of Saint Peter, Prince of the Apostles—the title still so cherished that it heads official documents is the one Gregory coined to describe his papal ideal: Servant of the Servants of God. Together with being designated “the Great,” a fitting epitaph.  —Peter Scagnelli, Diocesan Publications