Called, Formed, Involved?

Go forth into the world .....

As disciples of Christ, participants in the paschal mystery of our Lord's dying and rising through faith; as hearers and doers of the word of God; as bearers of grace, as partakers of our Lord's body and blood; having received the forgiveness of sins, formed in the Body of Christ, the Church, made inheritors of the kingdom of heaven; and empowered by the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Baptism, we are called to live no longer for ourselves alone but for and on behalf of the world.

How do we live out our identity as Christians? What are the ways in which we are living a life of service and gratitude for all we have been given? Do we understand ourself as individuals, or as belonging to a living organism, larger than ourself, that involves us in works of mercy and grace?

The greatest gift you can receive is giving to others.

The Feast of Saint Athanasius of Alexandria

Uphold your Church, O God of truth, as you upheld your servant Athanasius, to maintain and proclaim boldly the catholic faith against all opposition, trusting solely in the grace of your eternal Word, who took upon himself our humanity that we might share his divinity; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Rule of Saint Benedict (Beginning)

Prologue

I S T E N carefully, my child,
to your master's precepts,
and incline the ear of your heart (Prov. 4:20).
Receive willingly and carry out effectively
your loving father's advice,
that by the labor of obedience
you may return to Him
from whom you had departed by the sloth of disobedience.

To you, therefore, my words are now addressed,
whoever you may be,
who are renouncing your own will
to do battle under the Lord Christ, the true King,
and are taking up the strong, bright weapons of obedience.

And first of all,
whatever good work you begin to do,
beg of Him with most earnest prayer to perfect it,
that He who has now deigned to count us among His children
may not at any time be grieved by our evil deeds.
For we must always so serve Him
with the good things He has given us,
that He will never as an angry Father disinherit His children,
nor ever as a dread Lord, provoked by our evil actions,
deliver us to everlasting punishment
as wicked servants who would not follow Him to glory.